Bed bugs are tiny parasites capable of accessing the tiniest opening in search of shelter. The adult grows up to 7 millimeters long, with a reddish/black or dark brown body shaped like an apple seed. The bed bug “Cimex lectularius” feeds on a living, breathing host for survival. The host is more often human than animal, which is why the bed bug is commonly found in human habitats.
You now know the bed bug is a parasite that feeds on human blood. Did you know, the bed bug is a nocturnal insect species? Nocturnal insects hide out of view during the day, coming out at night to feed, mate, and reproduce. With all this information, you still do not know the most common hiding places for bed bugs. Why is this so important? First, and foremost, if ever you are left dealing with an infestation, the information will help you pinpoint where the insects are hiding.
Magazines And Books
Your favorite bedtime novel could be harboring bed bugs. It is unlikely, you were familiar with this tiny tidbit. Experts believe bed bugs need quick and easy access to their human host. What better hiding place than one of the host’s least commonly read books? Bed bugs will also seek shelter between the pages of a magazine. Only magazines in close proximity to sleeping humans make suitable hiding places for bed bugs.Bed Linen
If bed bugs are drawn to the sleeping human, it only makes sense for bed linen is a common hiding place. The insects will burrow in the fabric, in hopes of remaining undetected from their hosts. This is a bit risky, but bed bugs are willing to do whatever is necessary to survive in the human habit. If this means, hiding in bed linen, it means hiding in bed linen, where the odds of being detected are extremely high.Bed Frames
What better hiding place for a bed bug than a headboard or footboard? While bed frames are not essential items, they can create the perfect platform for a mattress and box springs. These pieces of furniture can also make the perfect hiding place for bed bugs. Bed frames constructed from wood are more popular than metal designs. Natural wood is known for its imperfections, tiny cracks, gaps, and crevices, all of which make the perfect hiding place for bed bugs. In addition to the imperfections, wood can have a beautiful cherry, walnut, or dark oak finish. Do you remember the bed bug’s unique physical characteristics, such as the reddish/black or dark brown body? This coloration is just one reason why bed bugs blend in with the furniture.Carpet
Carpet fibers are known for attracting bed bugs in infested environments. The insects burrow deep in the carpet fibers, where they will remain until feeding time. Floor mats and throw rugs are also commonly utilized by bed bugs for shelter between blood meals. The carpet at the front of and underneath the bed is at the highest risk of bed bug infestation.Mattress And Box Springs
The most common hiding place for bed bugs is the mattress, followed by the box springs. The insects burrow in the mattress fibers. They will also hide underneath the stitching and around the seam and edges. Bed bugs will also burrow deep into the layers of materials – core, polyfoam, topper, fluid barrier, base layer, and nylon. The bed bugs burrow between the materials to remain undetected, safe, and warm, while the host is away from the home. When the host retires for the night, the bed bugs will prepare to feed.Floorboards
In infested homes, some bed bugs will seek refuge in floorboards and baseboards. A bit further from the host’s bed, but not an issue for the bed bug. While a small species, bed bugs can travel short distances fairly quickly. Within 60 seconds, a mature bed bug can travel up to four feet.Loose Wallpaper
Bed bugs have also been found hiding behind loose wallpaper. A small cluster of bed bugs will shelter behind the loose wallpaper, waiting for signs that validate the host is asleep. Bed bugs rely on their antennae to detect heat and carbon dioxide generated by humans when sound asleep. The bed bugs will emerge from behind the loose wallpaper when the host begins to generate heat and carbon dioxide.Bedside Tables And Nightstands
The host’s bed can become a bit overcrowded for a large colony of bed bugs. When the bed becomes overcrowded, the bedside table and nightstand are the next best hiding place for bed bugs. The insects can hide in the imperfections of the wood, drawers, and crevices between the joints. As long as there is quick access to the host, the bed bugs will continue feeding and returning to the bedside table until finally detected.Upholstery Furniture
In infested properties, upholstery furniture in close proximity to the host’s bed will have bed bugs. The insects burrow in the upholstery fibers and down into the foam cushioning. Here, the bed bugs will remain until feeding time rolls around. Upholstered chairs, ottomans, and other pieces of furniture offer discreteness, safety, and warmth to the bed bug.How To Detect Bed Bugs In Residential And Commercial Settings?
Detecting bed bugs is generally a simple process. In fact, people who are knowledgeable of the topic can identify bed bug problems with little to no trouble in minutes. Knowing the signs of bed bugs could be helpful in the future. These signs include the following:- Live mature bed bugs, larvae, and eggs
- Dried blood stains
- Tiny fecal droppings
- Crusty exoskeletons
- A sweet, musty odor
- Bites on arms, posterior neck, shoulders, and upper back