If you have ever suffered the annoying itchy bite of bed bugs, you will understand how frustrating it is to eradicate your home of these pesky critters. Waking up to the red itchy spots on your body is never nice and these tiny bugs are not always easy to find. A common misconception is that bedbugs only live in your bed, however, these pests can and do occur throughout your entire home. They will live and breed wherever they can feed on humans and animals. Their most favorite hiding places are anywhere dark and warm which means that any crevice and hidey-hole can become a home to them.
Being active mostly at night, one would expect to be able to find them during the day, but this is not always the case. They hide so well and are so tiny (1mm to 5mm average size) that it is most difficult to find these bugs. What makes the problem even worse is that the climate in Singapore is very well suited for these little bugs. The warm days and temperate nights that are commonplace in Singapore is the perfect breeding climate for the little pests.
If you find yourself with red, itchy bites on your body then you quite possibly have an infestation. In that case, there are a number of spots and places that you should investigate in your home to rid yourself of bed bugs.
1. Bedroom
Of course, the bed is the most obvious place, and by far they are favorite. Bed bugs will crawl into your bedding and sheets during the day and come out at night when you are sleeping. They will hide in the seem of your sheets and bedding as well as the trimming on your mattress. Be sure the under the bed base and any spot that they can hide in on the bed itself.
2. Lounge and Living Area
Bed bugs will breed anywhere they can get to their prey, that’s you, and so couches and chairs are just as suspect as your bed. Many of us spend a lot of time on couches and chairs watching TV and socializing. The many folds and seems on the furniture make the perfect hiding place for these bugs during the day whilst they wait for you to come home. Inside the couches is also a firm favorite for them to hide.
3. Walls and Ceilings
In cases where there is the severe infestation, you need to inspect the nooks and crannies in the walls and in the ceiling as well. These spots are perfect for bed bugs to hide in as they are safe and dark during the day and they can breed in peace. Its advisable to fumigate these areas as well if you believe that you have a bed bug problem.
4. Carpets and Rugs
You might not think it but carpets and rugs provide great hiding for bed bugs. These little nasty biters will hide out where ever they can when the food is plentiful. The edges of the carpets and rugs provide excellent habitat for the bugs and as they only come out occasionally to feed you might never find them until its too late.
5. Wooden Furniture
Any wooden furniture in your home is suspect when it comes to bed bugs. So, nightstands and tables even your dresser can be a home to bed bugs. These items often have little holes and cracks that bed bugs find very comfy during the day especially as these items often get overlooked because they get used so often. Bed bugs can hide in even the busiest of places because they can stay perfectly still for hours at a time. They can also hang on to the bottom of drawers and shelves with the tine claws.
6. Closets and Clothing
In severe infestations, you can also find bed bugs in your clothes and closets. This happens when there is unattended dirty clothing for long periods of time. They love the fabric so they will crawl into the folds and seems of your shirts and dresses and jackets etc. If you find them on your clothes its best to either dry clean or wash your clothing in hot water as this is one of the best ways to get rid of them.
7. Appliances and Power Outlets
This might seem like an unlikely place to find bed bugs; however, alarm clocks and electrical outlets are some of the last places that you would look. During the day appliances are often not used and especially items such as alarm clocks are easy hiding places. Electrical outlets make great hiding places for bed bugs due to the easy manner that they can spread throughout your home.
8. Books and Storage Areas
Bed bugs are small and flat so books, especially hardcovers are favorite spots to hide out. In severe infestations, any storage area should be properly fumigated as these bugs can live for months without feeding. They can survive for up to a year without feeding depending on the climate so when you are infested make sure that you check these areas as well.
9. Other Trouble Spots
Bed bugs can travel with you no matter where to go and public areas are also suspect especially if the sanitation is not up to code. Planes, trains, and automobiles are places where you could pick up an unwelcome travel companion. Any area that is dark and warm is a potential hiding spot for these critters, cinemas have also been found to have infestations of bed bugs.
Conclusion
In truth just about any area in and around the home as well as all public areas could be potential bed bug friendly. These bugs are particularly tenacious and hard living so you don’t rid yourself of them easily. During the day these bugs will bide their time in any spot that is dark and offer them safety until their favorite food source come by again. It best to take extra special care of your clothing and bedding as these are the most likely places of initial infestation. In the event of finding bed bugs in your home best, you check everywhere for the little pests to make sure that they don’t sneak up on you.
