Category Archives: BED BUG DATABASE

Bed Bug Nesting Location

Bedbugs travel easily and quickly along pipes and boards, and their bodies are very flat, which allows them to hide in tiny crevices. In the daytime, they tend to stay out of the light, preferring to remain hidden in such places as mattress seams, mattress interiors, bed frames, nearby furniture, carpeting, between the pages of books, baseboards, inner walls, tiny wood holes, and/or room clutter. Bedbugs can be found on their own but will more often congregate in groups once established. They tend not to travel further than 100 feet (30 m) from their host to feed and will usually remain close to their blood supply in the same bedroom or living quarters where people sleep.

Exact nesting locations of a typical infestation can vary greatly as bedbugs will often attempt to hide themselves within a wide range of tiny areas or spaces, within cracks and crevices, or simply in darker locations where they are out of plain sight. Such hiding spots may not always be immediately obvious to an inexperienced searcher'”although bedbugs will indeed be much easier to find and locate once an infestation has become concentrated. A single intricate bed frame or mattress can hold a wealth of choice areas for bedbugs to hide so careful, meticulous inspection is a must. A standard mattress, however, is most likely to house bedbugs along the sewn piping material running along the outer edges on both the top and bottom sides of the mattress. The common bedbug is also most likely to hide in certain sections or parts of various types of beds if the segments are, in fact, present (i.e., hiding in the wooden head or footboard, for example, if the bed has one). Bedbugs may also quietly nest themselves under the cover of various materials and lie completely still for long periods making detection even more difficult.

The potential places where a typical bedbug may choose to hide are numerous. It is, however, very common for bedbugs to nest in whatever furniture it is that a person sleeps and naps on'”which is not at all limited to beds, but also includes upholstered chairs, loveseats, sofas, plush furniture, futons, etc., as well as other non-traditional beds such as camping cots, floor pads, hide-a-beds, bean bags, strollers, cradles, etc. Bedbugs will attempt to nest in any of these sleeping structures if given the opportunity and will take cover in nearby areas as well (sleeping directly on the floor, for example, may cause them to feed but then nest in the nearby carpeting and furniture). Bedbugs tend to want to hide as close as possible to where they feed. If a person sleeps on a couch within a room where bedbugs are present, for example, then it could be generally expected that the bedbugs in the given room would quickly find their way onto the sofa as well as onto the sleeping person where they may then feed (i.e. unless the couch had been effectively segregated or isolated beforehand to prevent bedbugs from crawling onto it). Then, upon the sleeping host providing a blood meal, it could be expected that the engorged bedbugs will attempt to make the couch itself their nesting location'”with the bugs congregating under the sofa, in the seams and folds of the fabric, in the crevices, in the creases atop and behind the headrest, amongst the armrests, in the cushions, in the wooden assembly, etc. Bedbugs usually will not wander too far from their meal. And this process of searching out a host, honing in to feed, then hiding in immediate and nearby crevices can take place over the course of a single night and, in such a manner, a couch or an upholstered chair may become heavily infested with bedbugs within a very short time. An effective isolation of lounge furniture and/or taking steps to avoid sleeping on couches (esp. in high risk environments) will help to prevent this.

Minimizing potential nesting locations (such as through the removing of, disposal, and/or bagging of various clutter often surrounding the typical bed'”i.e. both on, around, and under it) can make it easier to pinpoint the remaining areas where bedbugs may be hiding. But such additional hiding spots are often times unique to each case of infestation since virtually any small space or crack in a given room can be useful as a nesting site to bedbugs'”so long as it is close to the host. Unchecked, bedbugs will eventually expand their overall nesting locations into nearby furniture such as dressers or nightstands, in drawers, in the cracks of picture frames, in screw or nail holes to bedroom fixtures, behind mirrors, etc. Then into the carpet, or under rugs, up the walls, and into the corners and such'”the potential for nesting sites among such a wide range of appliances is numerous. Within a single bed, bedbugs may nestle themselves in the mattress (along the tufts, folds, and seams), in the supporting box spring, platform, or bunkie board, in the framed support structures as well as in the cracks where the individual parts and segments are attached. They may hide amongst the remaining bed frame (in the headboard, footboard or hollows of the siderailings and bed posts), within rips and tears or holes in the bed, under the base/platform, in between the bedding between the layers of sheets and mattress covers (etc.), in the wheels of the bed, among the bunk ladder assembly, under bed skirts, in the bedcoverings, etc. Complete disassembly and subsequent treatment of the entire bed frame may be necessary to reveal all nesting spots when bedbugs are present. A thorough inspection would also include checking the entire room for telltale signs of harborages and inspecting the surrounding flooring, baseboards, and walls, etc.

Bedbugs will also infest and nest in clutter that is often scattered around a typical bed'”such as in shoeboxes stored underneath or in boxed documents and photos. They may be found in nightstands as well as in objects placed on them. Or they may hide amongst clothes lying about in the room (though, it should be noted, that simply bagging all worn day clothing next to the bed every night while sleeping will help to prevent this). Bedbugs will also tend to nest in the baseboards along the bottoms of the walls, along the molding, under loose flooring or carpet, etc. And, depending on the proximity of such sites to the host and extent of the infestation, these locations should be expected. There are a multitude of other places where bedbugs have been known to hide as this list is by no means exhaustive. Where exactly it is that bedbugs go to nest may, in fact, be dependent on wherever it is that they can go'”albeit without going too far. But the extremes of their nesting locations are often relative to the numerical extent of the infestation, its source of origin, and how it is managed. Bedbugs, for example, nesting in the ceiling may indicate that they had entered the room and/or are spreading via the ceiling (i.e. possibly through the ceiling panels, vents, ceiling fixtures, pipes, etc.).

If children are in the house, bedbugs may also hide in toys and other recreational objects or in areas where younger ones play and/or nap. Bedbugs have also been found in door hinges, electrical fittings, in fire alarms, in lighting fixtures, amongst windowsills, in the cracks of plaster, behind peeled wallpaper, around curtains, in the cracks of brick and mortar, inside electronic devices, in various furniture, in floor cracks. And in blankets, purses, suitcases, lamp shades, inside speakers, under lamps, in vents, in shoes, above doorways and windows, under appliances, underneath linoleum, in storage, in books, in scattered paper, in envelopes, behind wiring, along piping (including both gas and plumbing pipes), in velcro, inside hollow doors, in ceiling fixtures, above the bed, in toys, in the ceiling, in phones, etc. -- put simply, it is possible that bedbugs may nest into any cracks or crevices that lie nearest to their hosts. Also, wicker furniture is known to be particularly targeted by bedbugs as a preferred nesting haven and should be removed in suspected areas.

Bedbugs, in some instances, can be incredibly localized in their tendency to remain generally close to their primary meal supply'”even making it possible for the sleeping quarters on the side of one room to become heavily infested while the sleeping areas of a different side in the same room can seem to get by relatively untouched. This esoteric tendency of bedbugs toward localized colonization can make detection of a growing infestation even more difficult up until the last minute. But, in any case, bedbugs will expand into nearby locations either as the infestation grows, as they are inadvertently transported from location to location and forced to hide, as they are repelled from various stimuli, or bedbug infestations will expand as they are cut off from nourishment and forced to traverse new whereabouts in search of a new blood supply.

Although bedbugs show a clear preference for hiding amongst certain materials such as wood or fabric, the nesting sites of a bedbug's choosing can literally be in any location that might allow them to remain nearest to their host and meal supply undetected. It is also possible that the nesting location may be physically on the host themselves inside their clothes'”especially if the clothes are not washed regularly or if the host is typically immobile, etc.

Bedbugs may also take refuge in unsuspected areas such as cars, luggage, moving vans, RVs, etc. And, where possible, will also feed on and nest nearby pets who may also be bitten. Bedbugs may also nest near other intruding animals that might be living within the house structure (such as near the roosting sites of bats, rodents, or birds, etc.).

The more adept one is at spotting bedbugs and uprooting them at their harborage points, then the better and more equipped one will be in helping to prevent infestations, in greatly minimizing them, and at reducing their spread. Detection of bedbug nesting locations is also of paramount importance because the nocturnal insects have an uncanny tendency, and often frustrating ability, to hide wherever possible. It is not abnormal for the bedbugs within a dwelling to find the host as opposed to the other way around'”despite a reasonable search effort. Effective experience in locating them will also contribute to accurately confirming whether or not a bedbug infestation has been thoroughly eliminated. And can also provide additional assistance to pest control operators which is required for successful treatment, or allow one to, perhaps, eradicate a moderate to light infestation altogether on their own.

Bed Bug Hiding Places

Bed bugs can live in almost any crevice or protected location. They will usually stay close to their food source (blood) but can rapidly spread through a multiple residence building, hotel or other accommodations. The most common place to find them is the bed. Bed bugs often hide within seams, tufts, and crevices of the mattress, box spring, bed frame and headboard.

Bed bugs will hide behind pictures, tapestries or anything else mounted on the wall. Anything with seams, cracks or crevices present are prime nesting areas.

Picture frames are classic hiding locations as are heating and air ducts. Also be sure to check inside clocks, phones, televisions and smoke detectors. The bottom line is that you need to treat any location if you as much as suspect activity.
Many families try unworkable home remedies for Bed Bugs or more extreme measures '“ such as throwing out their Bed Bug-infested mattresses and bedding, and sometimes ripping out carpet and replacing furniture to rid Bed Bugs from their home! While this course of action can often be understandable responses this isn't an efficient Bed Bugs remedy or cure for Bed Bugs because they will go into the walls, under the baseboards or any other hiding place. If a person manages to slide a credit card into a crack or crevice, a bed bug is likely to find a home and hidden place to breed.

Some Bed bug symptoms are not obvious to the untrained eye. A thorough inspection requires dismantling the bed and standing the components on edge. Things to look for are the bugs themselves, and the light-brown, molted skins of the nymphs. Dark spots of dried bed bug excrement are often present along mattress seams or wherever the bugs have resided. Oftentimes the gauze fabric underlying the box spring must be removed to gain access for inspection and possible treatment. Successful treatment of mattresses and box springs is difficult, however, and infested components may need to be discarded. Cracks and crevices of bed frames should be examined, especially if the frame is wood. (Bed bugs have an affinity for wood and fabric more so than metal or plastic). Headboards secured to walls should also be removed and inspected. In hotels and motels, the area behind the headboard is often the first place that the bugs become established. Bed bugs also hide among items stored under beds.

Nightstands and dressers should be emptied and examined inside and out, then tipped over to inspect the woodwork underneath. Oftentimes the bugs will be hiding in cracks, corners, and recesses.

Upholstered chairs and sofas should be checked, especially seams, tufts, skirts, and crevices beneath cushions. Sofas can be major bed bug hotspots when used for sleeping.

Other common places to find bed bugs include: along and under the edge of wall-to-wall carpeting (especially behind beds and furniture); cracks in wood molding; ceiling-wall junctures; behind wall-mounts, picture frames, switch plates and outlets; under loose wallpaper; amongst clothing stored in closets; and inside clocks, phones, televisions and smoke detectors.

The challenge is to find and treat all places where bugs and eggs may be present. Bed bugs tend to congregate in certain areas, but it is common to find an individual or some eggs scattered here and there. Persistence and a bright flashlight are requisites for success. Professional Inspectors sometimes also inject a pyrethrum-based, "flushing agent" into crevices to help reveal where bugs may be hiding. A thorough treatment of a home, hotel, or apartment may take several hours or days. Nymphs and adults generally feed at night and hide in crevices during the day. Occasionally people pick up bed bugs in theaters or on buses and trains. They also can bring them into their home on clothing, bedding, luggage, or firewood.

Picture frames are also classic and common hiding locations as are heating and air ducts. Also be sure to check inside clocks, phones, televisions and smoke detectors. The bottom line is that you need to treat any location if you as much as suspect activity.  Many people have the misconception thatgetting rid of bed bugsis done through traditional pest controls which uses harsh pesticides. The truth of the matter is that bed bugs have grown immune to the pesticides exterminators are using. That is why there has been such an enormous increase in bed bug infestations throughout the US.

While this course of action can often be understandable responses this isn't an efficient Bed Bugs remedy or cure for Bed Bugs because they will go into the walls, under the baseboards or any other Bed Bug hiding places. If a person manages to slide a credit card into a crack or crevice, a bed bug is likely to find a home and hidden place to breed for Bed Bug hiding places. Many families try unworkable home remedies for Bed Bugs or more extreme measures to get rid of Bed Bug hiding places '“ such as throwing out their Bed Bug-infested mattresses and bedding, and sometimes ripping out carpet and replacing furniture to rid Bed Bugs from their home!

History and Evaluation of the Bed Bug

The evolution of obligate hematology (feeding only on blood) in the ectoparasitic Cimex lectularius seems to have originated and progressed from phytophagous (plant feeding) bugs that would predate by chance or accident, to predatory bugs feeding on invertebrates associated with nesting mammals or birds, to bugs that feed on the vertebrate host itself. The common flower bug, Anthocoris nemorum, which predates other insects and is occasionally herbivorous, is an example of a close relative to Cimex lectularius. Anthocoris nemorum will also pierce human skin and suck blood. In terms of bed bugs evolving to feed on humans, it has been hypothesised that bed bugs made the
switch from bats to Man, when Man was cave dwelling in pre-history. The ecology of the human race means they are an excellent host for bed bugs, as humans live communally in enclosed spaces, sleep at a predictable time in a predictable place and have high body temperature, are relatively hairless and have a rich blood supply to a relatively thin epidermis. Cimex lectularius is cosmopolitan in distribution and is therefore a worldwide problem.
Bed bugs were first recorded in the UK in 1583 (Usinger, 1966). In 1939 approximately four million people in Greater London were subject to bed bug infestations (Usinger, 1966). Bed bug infestations declined from 1939 onwards, most likely due to the introduction of residual insecticides. One survey showed that the number of bed bug treatments remained.

Bedbugs are also known by a variety of names including wall louse, mahogany flat, crimson rambler, heavy dragoon, redcoat, and simply "bug". Its names in other languages include meanings such as "stinker" (Frenchpunaise), "nightcrawler" (GermanNachtkrabbler), "bitter" (Sanskrituddamsa), "pursuer" (Portuguesepercevejoorperceveja, depending on the region), "flat" (Czechplostice), and "wall louse" (GermanWandlaus).

Bed bugs were first introduced into the Americas by the early colonists. Colonial writings of the early 18th century documented severe bed bug problems in the English colonies and in Canada, but not in Indian villages. Old sailing ships were notoriously infested with bed bugs, some so much so that some ships forbade passengers and colonists from bringing bedding on board. During the early 20th century, it was a rare American indeed who had never been bitten or at least seen a bed bug. Bed bugs were rated among the top three pests in and around structures. Surveys showed that as many as 1/3 of all residences were infested in some cities. In lower income areas, virtually all residences had bed bugs at one time or another. In these areas, bed bugs were 'œpublic enemy number one.'

Bedbugs evolved from what were once insects much like mosquitos. The atrophied remains of wings can be found upon the backs of bedbugs, and bedbugs still sometimes appear with the elongated aerodynamic body shape of a flying insect. A typical bedbug has body shape that is as flat and naroow as a credit card, which is a shape which allows bedbugs to slip through even very narrow cracks.. When a bedbug appears with the body shape of the flying bug from which bedbugs evolved, the body is not flat, but rather is tubular and more rounded.
My place was infested with bedbugs, and when I first saw these long, skinny bugs I did not immediately recognize them as being bedbugs. However they had the same reddish brown color of a bedbug. When you starve a bedbug they lose their reddish tinge and become golden tawny colored bugs that are almost transparent. The same thing would happen to these elongated bugs, and it wasn't long before I realized that these odd shaped bugs were in fact bedbugs.

Early History

It is believed that bed bugs originated in caves in the Mediterranean region of the world, feasting on the blood of bats. When humans began to inhabit these caves, the pests found them as an equally suitable blood source. However, because cave dwellers moved from place to place frequently, they proved to be an unreliable and inconsistent food supply for the insects. It was not until the early establishment of villages and cities that the bugs' presence became a notable problem.

American History

Manifest logs tell of sailors complaining about bed bug infestation aboard their European ships en route to America. Because of the magnitude of the problem, travelers were eventually asked not to bring bedding with them on their journey. The bugs, however, made their way across the sea and into the homes of the new settlers. Documentation of their existence in the New World reaches back to the 17th century. By the 20th century, bed bugs were so prominent that they were considered one of the top three household pests. Some cities had infestation in as much as 1/3 of all residences.

Bed bugs were a common problem up until World War II. In the 1950s, DDT and other pesticides were introduced that helped combat the rampant infestation. Soon, it appeared that bed bugs were almost obsolete in developed countries. In the 1970s it was determined that DDT and many other pesticides were harmful to humans, and they were subsequently banned by the U.S. government.

bed bugsa genuine threat or is this so much media hype. Some argue that journalists are feeding the frenzied paranoia of a panicked citizenry. Others point to very real statistics that show a 70% increase in reported bed bug infestations in the U.S. in the past five years. In a national survey conducted for Pest Management Professional, University of Kentucky entomologist Michael Potter found, "A whopping 91% of respondents reported their organizations had encountered bed bug infestations in the past two years. Only 37% said they encountered bed bugs more than five years ago." Pest control companies that for decades had received no calls about bed bugs are suddenly receiving dozens. In large urban areas it´s not uncommon for companies to field 100 to 150 bed bug complaints a week, according to a National Pest Management Association survey.

After near eradication by DDT-based pesticides in the 1950s,bed bugs(Cimex lectularius) are on the rise. Your grandmother´s bedtime mantra -- "Sleep tight; don´t let the bed bugs bite!" '“ was rooted in the reality of pre-World War II life when bed bugs were commonly found in beds across the U.S. In the 1930s, people wallpapered their bedrooms with arsenic-laced wallpaper to kill bed bugs. Metal bed frames, considered less likely to harbor bed bugs, were the rage. Twice a year bedsteads were completely dismantled and scrubbed to keep bed bugs at bay. Until the insect-killing properties of DDT were discovered during World War II, no effective pesticide existed to eradicate bed bugs. Development of DDT-based insecticides after the war allowed America and most industrialized countries to stamp out bed bugs.

Discovery of DDT´s cancer risk to humans and lethal threat to wildlife led to its banning in the early 1970s. By the mid-1990s, reports of bed bug infestations began to surface in the U.S., Canada, Australia and Western Europe. With no lethally effective pesticide available, bed bugs have multiplied and spread. "Since the mid-1990s, numbers of reported infestations have almost doubled annually," said Clive Boase, author of a bed bug study published by the Institute of Biology in London. Bed bug infestations in London have risen tenfold since 1996, Boase reported. According to National Geographic News, bed bug complaints to pest control companies increased 700% in Australia between 2000 and 2004 and 500% in the U.S. While these figures seem astonishing, keep in mind that if a pest controller received two bed bugs calls in 2000, an increase of 500% would equal 10 calls in 2004, not quite the "invasion" trumpeted in news reports. Still, last year bed bug infestations were reported in every state in the U.S., and reports are increasing exponentially each year. "This is a serious issue," Potter recently told the New York Times. "This will be the pest of the 21st century".

Bed Bugs in Clothes, Fabric, Curtains

Clothing can be another place where bed bugs hide. You do not have to throw every item of clothing away. However, according to bed bugcentral.com, launder infested clothing in hot water (water temperature should be above 120 degrees).

How do these damned vermin get everywhere, is one question that leaves so much to be answered. If they are 'bed' bugs, why are they in my clothes? Well, there is no doubt in the fact that the damn things on your clothes are indeed bed bugs. bed bug infestation in clothes often happens when you leave your clothes untouched in your cupboard for too long. So as the bed bugs slowly gain entry into your home, they find a safe haven for themselves in your old clothes, as they can carry on with their lives without any human intervention. Quite a peaceful proposition for them isn't it? Well you certainly cannot live this way and need to know about getting rid of bed bugs in clothes as soon as possible.

They said that once upon a time the world was almost freed from this despicable vermin, but they are back with a bang and are still one of the number one house pests, right up there with termites. The most common way in which the bed bugs spread is through luggage. Suppose you went for a trip and stayed in a hotel which was unfortunately infested by bed bugs. These bed bugs crawl into your luggage unexpectedly and unknown to you, travel to your home. A few days later you open the luggage and find a full colony of these dirty creatures. And now, you're running pillar to post, to find ways for getting rid of bed bugs from clothes. And you have to do it quickly, otherwise they will spread all over your house. So without further ado, let us quickly get to the topic of how to kill bed bugs.

Bed Bugs are very sensitive to heat and one of the easiest ways to kill bed bugs within your garments and bedding is to dry your items on high heat for 20 to 30 minutes. If your fabrics can handle it, clean all of your bedding, clothes, curtains and dressing, sheets, pillow cases, pillows, bed skirting, luggage and other garments on the highest heat possible. Keep cleaned clothing separate from untreated items and spend the time needed to wash and dry, anything and everything that is washable. Remember, you are getting rid of a horrible insect that has been drinking your blood while you sleep '“ take the time to do it right the first time!

There are holes or tears in the gauze fabric or fabric of the mattress, bed bugs and eggs may be inside, as well as outside. There are restrictions on how beds can be treated with insecticides. Stand up the box spring and shine a flashlight through the gauze fabric to expose bed bugs.If the fabric is torn ( possible hiding place), remove fabric to prepare for spraying. A better way of bed bugs killer is the usage of steam. This is a top item in the list of how to treat bed bugs. When a fabric steamer is run over the mattress or the sofa, it can effectively terminate bed bugs. A fabric steamer, when used for 7 minutes at 115F, can eradicate bed bugs and their eggs. This is known as the thermal death point for bed bugs. However, bed bugs are experts at hiding in crevices and the thermal death point may not reach those crevices.

Hence, the US Department of Defense insists that the fabric steamer must be used at 120F and 20 to 30% relative humidity for 20 minutes to ensure that the bed bugs and their eggs are completely killed. Mattress or size of infestation. If there are holes or tears in the gauze fabric or fabric of the mattress, bed bugs and eggs may be inside, as well as outside. There are restrictions on how beds can be treated with insecticides.