Where Do Bed Bugs Hide?

Bed bugs are a common problem in homes across London. The tiny pests are notoriously difficult to spot, especially if you don’t know where to look. Many people experience bites but struggle to find the source of their discomfort. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide detailing all the places bed bugs might hide, tips on recognising them, what to do if you find an infestation, and how to prevent re-infestation.

Read also: Signs For Having Bed Bugs

Bed Bugs are most active when their host sleeps, whenever this occurs during the night or during the day. They also don’t feed every night. They need a safe place to hide during the day to digest their meals and mate undisturbed. Bed bugs usually feed every 3-7 days, meaning that most of the population is digesting and not feeding most of the time. After feeding, adult bed bugs, particularly the males, are very interested in mating, further driving their need for secure hiding spots. This behaviour makes them difficult to spot when their host isn’t asleep.

Check also: What Draws Bed Bugs Out of Hiding?

Bed bugs thrive in various environments, frequently in places with a high turnover of night-time guests. This includes hotels, hostels, dorms, and apartments. These environments provide bed bugs with ample opportunities to feed on human blood and to hitchhike on luggage or personal belongings to new locations. Temperature-wise, bed bugs prefer environments similar to human habitats, thriving best at temperatures between 21-32 Celsius. However, they can survive in various conditions and are not exclusively found in hot or cold climates. This adaptability means they can establish themselves nearly anywhere people live and sleep. It’s this adaptability that makes it crucial to be cautious and vigilant in preventing and dealing with infestations.

Read also: Do Bed Bugs Stay Together?

In the House

At the beginning of an infestation, bed bugs hide near where they feed, often under the mattress and box spring. As the infestation grows, bed bugs can spread and hide elsewhere in the bedroom and then spread to other rooms.

Check also: How Do You Get Bed Bugs?

Mattresses and Bedding: Mattresses offer ideal hiding places for bed bugs, particularly seams, tufts, and piping. Bed bugs also infest bed frames, headboards, and bedding folds.

Upholstery: Sofas, armchairs, and other upholstered furniture are prime targets for bed bugs, which can burrow deep within the fabric and framework.

Wooden Furniture: While they prefer soft furnishings, bed bugs can also reside in wooden furniture, particularly cracks and joints.

Bags, Luggage, and Personal Belongings: Suitcases, backpacks, handbags, and even gym bags can harbour bed bugs, especially after travel.

Read also: Can Bed Bugs Travel on Clothes?

Behind Wall Hangings and Decorations: Picture frames, mirrors, and other wall decorations offer sheltered spots for bed bugs to congregate.

Electrical Outlets and Appliances: Bed bugs can squeeze into electrical outlets and the inner workings of small appliances.

Check also: Can I Get Bed Bugs From My Neighbours?

Cracks and Crevices: Any small crack or crevice in walls, floors, or furniture can provide a harbourage for bed bugs.

Piles of Books and Magazines: If you’ve got reading material next to your bed, bed bugs could be hiding in the spines.

Curtains and Window Frames: Bed bugs might settle in the folds of your curtains or along window frames in the bedroom.

Electronics: Small items like air conditioner remote controls or alarm clocks can also be hiding spots.

Stuffed Animals and Toys: If you’ve got kids, bed bugs could be hiding in their soft toys, especially if they are on the bed or sofa.

In Public

While less common than in homes, bed bugs also live in public spaces. These locations often have high traffic, which allows bed bugs to find a ride to a new location.

Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities: Hospitals and healthcare facilities also experience bed bug infestations due to frequent visitors and turnover of patients.

Hotels: Hotel rooms offer prime conditions for bed bugs to hide due to their high turnover of guests, readily available beds, and the constant flow of people travelling from different locations.

Public laundry: Public laundries can harbour bed bugs due to the frequent presence of many people and their belongings.

Dressing Rooms and Gyms: The shared nature of these spaces means bed bugs can quickly transfer from one person’s belongings to another.

Coat Rooms: Coat rooms, particularly in public buildings, can also be hiding spots for these pests.

Inspecting for bed bugs requires a methodical approach. You’ll need a torch, a credit card, a ruler, or any other flat and firm object, a magnifying glass, and patience. Start by thoroughly checking the seams, tufts, and piping of your mattress and box spring. Use the flat object to gently scrape along these areas, looking for signs of bed bugs or their droppings. Next, inspect bed frames, headboards, and other furniture, paying close attention to cracks and crevices. Don’t forget to check behind wall hangings and inside any clutter.

For a more detailed guide on how to check furniture for bed bugs, please refer to our guide: How to Inspect Second-Hand Furniture for Bed Bugs?

What to Look For:

• Small black spots: These are bed bug excrements.
• Live or dead insects: Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown, oval-shaped, and resemble apple seeds.
• Shed exoskeletons: Bed bugs shed their skin as they grow. These shed skins are translucent and look like empty bug shells.
• Eggs: Bed bug eggs are tiny, white, and oval-shaped, often found in clusters.

Read also: What do bed bugs look Like?

Recognising Bed Bugs:

• They are visible to the naked eye.
• Adult bed bugs are usually brown, but their colour ranges from red to dark brown after feeding.
• They are oval, between 4 and 7 mm long.
• Bed bugs don’t jump or fly.
• Bed bugs crawl slower than other insects.
• Their lifespan is around 6 months. However, without feeding, they can go dormant and survive for over a year without food.

Check also: How Long Can Bed Bugs Live Without Food?

Recognising Bed Bugs Eggs:

• They are whitish and about the size of a pinhead.
• They are often laid out and attached in clusters in small, hidden spaces.
• The eggs hatch about 10 to 14 days after being laid.

Prevention is key to avoiding bed bugs. Here are some tips:

• Declutter: Clutter provides plenty of hiding places for bed bugs.
• Use bed bug-proof covers: Encase your mattress and box spring in bed bug-proof covers.
• Check luggage after travel: Thoroughly inspect your luggage for bed bugs after returning.
• Keep a clean house: Regular cleaning, including vacuuming and washing bedding, can help prevent infestations.
• Wash at high temperatures: Wash bedding and clothing at high temperatures (at least 60 degrees Celsius) to kill any bed bugs or eggs.

Read also: How to Avoid Bringing Bed Bugs Home From Your Travels

Don’t panic at the sight of a single bed bug, but do call for professional help. Although there are a few things you can do to prevent the infestation from spreading, combating bed bugs on your own can make them even more difficult to remove. Our expert exterminators at Bed Bug Specialist will thoroughly inspect your property and advise you on the best course of action. If you live in a block of flats or terraced house, it’s worth informing your neighbours, as the problem might be more widespread than you realise. They should also check their homes, as you might be battling a more extensive, building-wide infestation. Contact us today for a discreet and effective solution to your bed bug problem.