Bed bugs are sneaky pests that can be tough to get rid of. Knowing where they hide during the day can help you control and prevent infestations. Let’s look at their common hiding spots and how you can identify and deal with them.
Common Hiding Spots for bed bugs
Bed bugs prefer to stay close to where people sleep or rest. They often hide in the seams, folds, and edges of mattresses and in the cracks of box springs and bed frames. Covered furniture, like couches and recliners, can also harbor bed bugs in their seams, cushions, and frames.
In addition to furniture, bed bugs can squeeze into small cracks in walls, baseboards, and floors. They also hide behind electrical outlets, picture frames, and loose wallpaper. Bed bugs can attach to clothes and bags, making closets and wardrobes possible hiding spots.
Identifying a Bed Bug Infestation
Finding bed bugs during the day can be tricky, but there are some signs to look for. Waking up with small, red, itchy bites is often the first indication of bed bugs. Look for tiny, dark spots on bedding, furniture, and walls, which are bed bug excrement. Bed bugs tend to shed their skins as they grow, leaving behind empty shells. A heavy infestation might also produce a musty, sweet smell.
Practical Advice for Detection and Prevention
Early detection and action can help manage and prevent bed bug problems. Regular inspections are essential; check your bedding, furniture, and common hiding spots often for signs of bed bugs.
Another good practice is keeping your home tidy to limit hiding places and make inspections easier. Regularly vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery to remove bed bugs and their eggs. Special covers for mattresses and box springs can also help keep bed bugs out.
Myths About Bed Bugs
| Myth | Truth |
| Bedbugs only live in dirty places | Bedbugs are attracted to warmth, blood, and carbon dioxide, not dirt. They can live anywhere, clean or dirty. |
| Bedbugs only infest beds | Bedbugs can hide in furniture, walls, carpets, picture frames, and electrical outlets. |
| Bedbugs are only found in poor areas | Bedbugs infest any place with a host, regardless of the area’s wealth. |
| Bedbugs cannot survive in cold climates | Bedbugs can survive in a range of temperatures and can go dormant in cold climates. |
| Bedbugs are only active at night | Bedbugs prefer feeding at night but will adapt to feeding whenever their host is present. |
