Bed bugs find themselves in the living space of humans following a hitchhiking. Unknowingly, humans encounter
bed bugs when vacationing locally and abroad. Bed travel from location to location in suitcases, backpacks, briefcases, and overnight bags. This behavior continues until the insects reach what is hoped to be their final destination.
It is unfortunate for travelers who do not know they are about to make an encounter that will soon turn their lives upside down. The adult grows up to 7 millimeters long. The body is dark red and flat, replicating the shape of an apple seed.
Unlike the
cockroach,
stinkbug, earwig, ant, and
spider, the
bed bug does not infiltrate
homes and
businesses through tiny access points. Instead, the insects hitchhike their way into homes, unknowingly to owners.
Where Do Bed Bugs Hide In The Human Habitat?
Bed bugs are small parasites that feed on animal and human blood. Feeding time comes every three to 10 days, at which time, the
bed bug injects a natural numbing secretion in the skin of its victim. With the numbing secretion intact, the
bed bug penetrates the victim’s skin with its feeding tube and begins to suck up blood. This continues for up to 10 minutes, without the victim being aware of what just happened.
Since
bed bugs need to feed on blood to survive, it only makes sense for them to remain in close contact with their hosts. Bed bugs are nocturnal parasites that need the discretion to survive longer in human habitats.
Mattress And Box Springs
Bed bugs hide in the fibers of mattresses and box springs. The insects utilize their antennas to detect carbon dioxide, a colorless gas, emitted by the sleeping human. When it is determined, the human host is asleep, only then will the bed bug begin to prep for feeding.
Bed bugs are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night. After feeding, the bed bug will take refuge in its hiding place, a mattress or box springs.
Crevices, Cracks, And Gaps
Bed bugs crawl deep into tiny crevices in bed frames, bedside tables, and other pieces of bedroom furniture. The insects remain in their hiding places until the next feeding. When the hosts fall asleep, their bodies begin to generate carbon dioxide, which tells bed bugs it is time to feed.
As the colony continues to grow, the insects are forced out into the surrounding area. The next best hiding place is the bed frame.
Bed Linen
Bed linen – sheets, pillowcases, blankets, quilts, and duvets – are common bed bug hiding places. Bedding provides comfort, security, discretion, warmth, and quick access to blood meals. When it comes to bed bug detection, bed linen is often the target. When the insects feed, blood oftentimes drips down onto the bed linen, where it will dry and turn brown.
Dried blood on bed linen is one of the first detected signs of bed bugs.
Carpet, Throw Rugs, And Mats
Some bed bugs will be forced out of the bed and into the carpet below. Bed bugs hide in carpet fibers in low-traffic areas. When it is time to feed, the insects make their way up the bed frame and into the host’s bed.
When visiting bed bug-infested properties – hotels, homes, hospitals, nursing homes, and college dorms – experts recommend keeping luggage and other accessories at nearly eye level. Placing your bags on the floor will put you at risk of becoming a bed bug host.
Sofas, Love Seats, And Couches
Bed bug activity is the opposite of their human hosts. For example, when the host sleeps during the day, bed bugs are active during the day, instead of sleeping. But, wherever the host goes, the bed bug(s) will follow. If the host sleeps on a sofa, the bed bug will make its hiding place in the sofa or in close proximity to the sofa.
The insects hide deep in the fibers of the upholstery, crevices in wood fixtures, buttons, bows, and rivets, gaps between cushions.
Bed Bug Hiding Places That Most People Never Considered
When most people think of bed bug hiding places, the host’s bed instantly comes to mind. While the bed is the most common hiding place for these insects, it really depends on the host’s activities and behaviors.
Suitcases And Overnight Bags
Travelers, students living in dorms, daycare students, people living in homeless shelters, hospital patients, and nursing home residents are at a higher risk of encounter bed bugs than other groups. When visiting bed bug-infested properties, experts recommend never placing personal items at the ground level.
Bed bugs travel from place to place in suitcases and shoulder bags. The insects access the hosts’ personal bags during their visits. The infested bags are taken back to the hosts’ homes. This is a continuous cycle with bed bugs and their victims.
Hanging And Desktop Wall Art
Bed bugs crawl inside the back of hanging and desktop wall art. The insects only come out every few days to feed.
Books, Magazines, And Other Reading Materials
Books and other reading materials make the ideal hiding places for bed bugs. However, there are risks involved in choosing these hiding places. The detection rate for bed bugs is much higher when books are involved.
Books on bedside tables and nightstands are more often chosen to be hiding places for bed bugs.
Bedside Tables And Nightstands
Bed bugs forced out of their hosts’ beds will take refuge in nightstands and bedside tables. These pieces of furniture make the perfect hiding places for bed bugs. They offer discrete, warm, and close access to their hosts.
Electronic Devices
Electronics, such as desktop computers, laptops, and tablets – can become hiding places for bed bugs. These devices generate warmth and discretion, both of which are important to bed bugs. Manufacturers have begun utilizing gadgets to create barriers between bed bugs and internal components necessary for functionality.
Experts recommend storing unused electronics in resealable plastic bags or containers to keep bed bugs out. Pest infestation has been shown to damage the precious internal components found in electric-powered devices.
