Where do bed bugs hide

In this inspection procedure we will layout exactly where do bed bugs hide. These are the must-inspect bed bug locations to help you prepare for your treatment. By reviewing each specified location below, you will learn how to do a full treatment to get rid of your bed bugs entirely.

We will layout the following in list which you may click on to view in more detail the inspection process for that specific item or location.

  • Mattress
  • Boxspring
  • Mattress encasements
  • Pillows and pillow cases
  • Sofa and cushions
  • Recliners and furniture
  • Bed posts and wooden frames
  • Dresser drawers
  • Base boards
  • Electrical wall outlets
  • Window sills
  • Picture frames

Suggested Items For Treating Bed Bugs

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Where to look for bed bugs on your mattress

Pay attention to these areas on the mattress.

  1. Remove all sheets and pillows
  2. Inspect piping / seam of mattress for visual staining
  3. Inspect mattress seams and stitching
  4. Inspect tags, labels, buttons, and air screens on your mattress

Upon your inspection, you will want to review any evidence of bed bugs which you can view the images below. If you find evidence of bed bugs that looks similar to the images below, you may wish to consider a residual treatment to keep away the bed bugs completely.

Fecal matter on your mattress. You want to be aware if there are any dark spots on your mattress. This is usually the excrement of the bed bug after it has been feeding on you or your family members. Also, there is dark black spots/stains when people roll over on these bed bugs. This causes the bed bug to explode and pasting blood stains your mattress.

Look for bed bugs in the seam of the mattress. A common hiding location for bed bugs is found in your seam of mattress. This is also a first location one does when sleeping in hotels or guest houses. If there is a bed bug infestation, you will usually live bed bugs crawling in the seams of a mattress or around the box springs and headboard.

Can there bed bugs in a box spring?

You bet… below is a visual inspection procedure every pest professional who uses Green Bean Buddy goes thru to find bed bug colonies. This will give you a clear understanding where do bed bugs hide. So you can inspect these areas more closely.

Start with edges and inspect along stitches

  • Inspect where bed-frame & boxspring come in contact 
  • If you lift boxspring, look around edges as bed bugs may scatter
  • Look under plastic edge guards (best to remove edge guards, then refasten with staple gun)
  • Remove dust cover from back of boxspring (View where fabric connects to frame)
  • Inspect depressions, countersunk screws, & staples in frame
  • Lastly, inspect all joints, cracks and corners of box spring frame
Bed bug fecal matter on mattress
Canvas strap of boxspring with bed bugs, shells, feces, & eggs

Can bed bugs live in a wood or metal bed frame?

You bet… another where do bed bug hide location that seems to be forgotten is within the bed framing. Most bed bug victims forget to treat the bed frames and come to find a week later they are getting bitten again.

Below is an inspection procedure for your bed frame to follow.

  • Start with frame rails, inspect: end caps, joints, welds, holes, seams, etc
  • Inspect along cross bracing of bed frame
  • Inspect legs of bed frame (including casters, if present)
  • Move to head -and- foot boards – look along all surfaces.
Bed bugs can hide in wooden bed frames too

Where to look for bed bugs in your bedroom?

Below is a visual overview of the inspection points to review in your bedroom. Keep in mind the inspection and treatment never stops just in the bedding areas. If you do not inspect and treat other parts of the property, you will have a re-infestation within a few weeks.

bedbug hiding spots in bedroom
Where to look for bed bugs in your bedroom

Bedroom drawers and bedside tables

Most bed bug victims fail to inspect within dressers and drawers in the bedroom. Remember, bed bugs hide in clothing and when you lay clothes in drawers, you could be placing those bed bugs in there as well.

  • Inspect all exteriors of dressers and drawers (top, side, bottom)
  • Inspect inside drawers (remove the drawer, inspect top, sides, and bottom)
  • Pay attention to cracks, imperfections, joins, screws, and corners
Bed bugs, nymphs, and egg shells found in a dresser drawer

Where look for bed bugs in your couch and furniture

Many times bed bugs migrate from your sleeping areas to where you sit. Dozens of clients have reported that their couches become infested after using the bed bug residual treatment in the bedroom.

The reason is simply due to the bed bugs escaping the area only to setup a colony in your living room. Below is some helpful procedures to follow when inspecting your furniture and couches.

  • Start with edges and look along stitched linings
  • Inspect all sides of furniture (top, bottom, and stitches)
  • Pay attention to labels, tags, buttons, and air screens below furniture
  • You will want to remove these air screens during treatment, then re-attach when done.

These are additional import locations to search for bed bugs within your couch.

Most folks forget to check the bottom of the couch… this is crucial. Below are locations to check during every bed bug inspection.

  • Zippers of couch
  • Skirting of furniture
  • Fabric seams
  • Crevices under cushions
bed bugs found within couch cushions
Couch cushion with colony of bed bugs

Don't forget to visually inspect electronics... view your light outlets

Another common area for bed bugs colonies are in electronics. Below are common areas pest professionals notice bed bug colonies.

  • Phones
  • Radios
  • Televisions
  • Cable boxes
  • Plug plate covers (turn off power breakers before unscrewing plate)
  • Inspect outlets holes, corners, and edges (do not touch or work on live powered outlets!)

If you detach the light outlets covers you will want to do the following to avoid spread of the infestation.

  • hold light outlet cover over  plastic bag or light colored sheet
  • Orient items such that any ventilation holes are pointed down
  • Tap item with open part of your hand

Note: Avoid hitting item to hard. As a added pre-caution Green Bean Buddy, Bug Killer can be applied to ventilation holes. Do not attempt to coat all electronics with Green Bean Buddy, Bug Killer; you simply want to create a barrier between any bug harborage and the exit points from the item. Make sure electronic items are plugged out!

bed bugs found within a light outlet after being detached
bed bugs hiding around a light outlet

Getting rid of the infestation entirely

Now you have a broad overview of what to inspect and look for the next part is the treatment. We recommend a residual bed bug spray that will kill and prevent re-infestations. This formulation is being used in resorts, health facilities and by pest professionals due to the effectiveness of the residual.

The residual is dry coated on surfaces and while it will kill bed bugs immediately. It also create a clear dry barrier around you and your home to stop painful bites and re-infestations.

Learn more about this naturally derived residual bed bug spray. It will help get rid of you bed bug infestation entirely.

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Questions about inspecting for bed bugs... we're all in this together

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