Bed bugs are notorious for hiding deep in tiny cracks and crevices. The insect species hides away during the day to avoid human detection. While not a nocturnal insect, the bed bug exhibits behaviors that replicate nocturnal insects and animals. One example, the bed bug feeds at night when its host is fast asleep. Nocturnal behavior complicates things for the victims of these insects. It may be several weeks before you determine your home is infested with bed bugs.
Another factor that impacts the victim’s ability to determine if their home or business is infested is the bed bug’s small size. The adult grows up to 7 millimeters in length, making them extremely difficult to detect with the naked eye.
Once you finally determine your property is infested, you will need to conduct a search to find the insects’ hiding places. The most common hiding places include mattresses, box springs, wallboards, floorboards, carpet, and upholstered furniture. Bed bugs can also be found hiding in drapes, stuffed animals, and unused clothes and bed linen.
Find Bed Bug Hiding Places Quickly And Easily With These Tips
If you are a newbie bed bug victim, you have to start learning from scratch. Follow the tips provided below to locate the hiding places of the insects that are taking over your home with little to no effort.
- The first suggestion may not work well for individuals who have a tight work schedule. This recommendation involves replicating the bed bug’s feeding schedule. If the bed bugs are active during the night, you too could stay awake in an attempt to catch the bed bugs in action.
- Center your bed away from walls to allow room for a CO2 monitor. The CO2 machine generates both heat and carbon dioxide, to which bed bugs are drawn to. Direct the machine toward the wall to maximize the results.
- Install adhesive traps around the CO2 monitor to capture the insects as they pass by. The insects will get trapped in the thick adhesive. Carefully dispose of the trap once it is completely filled with bed bugs. The traps will not be as effective if you are not utilizing a CO2 machine.
- Utilizing a floor steamer, drive the bed bugs out of their hiding places. Bed bugs tend to hide in hardwood flooring between the seams, joints, cracks, and other imperfections. Direct the flow of steam toward suspicious areas to get the best response.
- Bed bug detectors are also helpful in searching for bed bug hiding places. These devices detect bed bugs, sending out an alert to the household members. The handheld design offers convenience and efficiency when searching for bed bug hiding places. Just move the detector over surfaces, such as your mattress, box spring, upholstery furniture, and carpet.
- A complete laundry cycle utilizing the maximum temperature mode is an effective way to drive bed bugs out of bed linen, stuffed animals, and toys. However, you are driving the bed bugs out of these items. Instead, you are utilizing the high temperatures to eradicate the bed bugs. Each cycle must last at least 15 minutes to deliver successful results
Other Tips To Drive Bed Bugs Out Of Hard-To-Reach Cracks And Crevices
The heat produced by a hairdryer or portable ceramic heater will also encourage bed bugs to emerge from their hiding place. Direct the heat toward suspicious areas to maximize the results. If you are still struggling to drive the insects out, you can always reach out to our Seattle-based extermination team. We can utilize our bed bug-sniffing canines to help you locate the hiding places. And, if treatment is required, we will develop a treatment plan specifically for your case before we exit your home.
