Bed bugs are small insects that grow up to 7 millimeters in length upon maturity. The adult female produces up to five eggs per day, 500 within her lifetime. Unlike most household pests, the bed bug relocates from place to place by hitchhiking rides on unaware humans and animals. The main reason the
bed bug is continuously relocating is in search of a new host. Once a host is located, the
bed bug begins to settle into its new surroundings.
Bed bugs exhibit deceptive behavior to keep their presence concealed from their hosts. These insects are notorious for hiding in tiny crevices, cracks, gaps, and other openings. They only emerge from hiding when it is time to feed. Where do
bed bugs hide while their hosts are awake? Find out by reading the content provided in the article below.
Mattress and Box Spring
Bed bugs remain close to their host. So, they are always in close vicinity of their blood source. This is why they are more often found in their hosts’ mattresses and/or box springs. The tiny insects burrow deep in the fibers of the mattress and box springs, where they remain until it is time to feed. Feeding time is generally every 72 hours when a living host is accessible and weekly when a host is not readily available.
Bed Frame Crevices
Wood furniture has imperfections that many consumers find unique and beautiful. It is not unusual for manufacturers to utilize wood that has not been completely dried. Once the design is complete, the wood will begin to dry, leaving imperfections like tiny crevices and cracks. These imperfections make the perfect hiding places for
bed bugs. The insects crawl into the cracks and remain there until it is time to feed.
The downside to these hiding places, bed bugs oftentimes blend in with the finish. This is especially true when the finish is cherry, walnut, or red oak. The bed bug is a reddish/brown color, allowing it to blend in with similar finishes.
Bed Linen
Bed bugs will also hide in bed linen – blankets, sheets, pillowcases, quilts, and duvets. This is the perfect hiding place for a bed bug because it requires little to not transport to access their main food source. While this is the ideal hiding place, it can leave the insects vulnerable. What exactly does this mean? Well, when you consider one of the signs of an infestation is a dried bloodstain on bed linen, this may not be a great hiding place.
Carpet And Throw Rug
Bed bugs are also known to hide in carpet fibers, mats, and throw rugs. However, these hiding places are more common when the colony is overpopulated. When this happens, the insects will spread out into other areas of the bedroom. The insects are generally found in the area of the carpet underneath the bed and throw rugs or mats in front of the bed.
Carpet and throw rugs not only offer quick access to blood meals but also footwear and accessories, such as handbags, backpacks, overnight bags, and suitcases.
Sofa, Love Seat, Couch, and Recliner
When hosts are accustomed to sleeping on pieces of furniture, other than beds, this is where bed bugs will take refuge. Bed bugs hide in couches, sofas, recliners, and love seats when their hosts are utilizing them as beds. Bed bugs can be found in the seams, rivets, buttons, arm covers, and pillows
Hiding places do not stop here because bed bugs will do whatever is necessary to remain undetected, without compromising their ability to access their hosts.
Places You Never Thought Bed Bugs Would Hide
A bed bug encounter can occur out of nowhere. Whether you are staying with friends, living in a college dorm, vacationing at a resort, or visiting a hospital, you could encounter a bed bug. While a bed bug encounter may seem like no big deal, it can be when you are not aware it happened.
Bed bugs hide just about anywhere as long it is close to their food sources. However, when the hiding place becomes overcrowded, the insect will begin to look for a new host. Where do bed bugs hide when looking for new hosts?
Suitcase Or Overnight Bag
Bed bugs hitch rides with unsuspecting traveling, crawling inside their suitcases and/or overnight bags. The insects remain inside the bag until they reach their final destinations, their new hosts’ homes. Only then do they climb out and start searching for a discrete hiding place.
Hotels, bed & breakfasts, country inns, resorts, and motels are at high risk for bed bug infestation. These facilities see a lot of visitors come and go, bringing bed bugs and other insects with them.
Hanging Picture And Art Frames
When bed bugs are forced into other areas of the bedroom due to overcrowding, they will sometimes relocate to hanging pictures and art frames. The insects will crawl behind into cracks and crevices inside the frames, remain there until it is time to emerge for feedings.
Notebooks And Book
There is no place 100 percent off-limits to bed bugs. In fact, the insects will utilize books stored on overnight tables as hiding places. They are more likely to take refuge inside the binding and spine of the books. They can also be found hiding between the plastic or vinyl covering and book cover.
Bedside Table And Nightstand
Bedside tables make great hiding places for bed bugs, especially when they are cluttered with personal assets. Most people keep their brushes, notepads, books, cosmetics, and other accessories stored on their bedside tables. The more cluttered the table, the more likely it will become a bed bug hiding place.
Laptop, Desktop PC, And Other Electronics
Bed bugs will also take refuge in electronics, such as desktop computers, laptops, printers, desktop phones, and televisions. It is crucial to routinely inspect your electronic components for bed bugs, which can cause significant damage when left undetected. Experts highly recommend immediate extermination to avoid damage to the internal components.
