Bedbugs have been around for a very long time. They feed on blood but aren’t known to spread disease in humans, though some people are allergic to their bites. Getting rid of a bedbug infestation isn’t easy.
What Are BedBugs
Bedbugs are small, flat, wingless insects that are reddish-brown in color and roughly a quarter-inch long before feeding, about the size and shape of a small apple seed.
They hide during the day in mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, and headboards, as well as in cracks and crevices in walls, floors, and furniture. They come out at night.
They don’t fly or jump, but they can crawl quickly.
Where BedBugs Hide
Bedbugs can enter your home undetected through luggage, clothing, secondhand furniture, and other items. Their flattened bodies let them fit into tiny spaces, about the width of a credit card. Bedbugs don’t build nests like ants or termites, but they do tend to live in groups in hiding places. Their primary hiding spots are usually in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards, giving them easy access to people to bite at night.
Over time, though, they can spread through the bedroom, moving into any crack or sheltered spot. They may also spread to nearby rooms or apartments.
Because bedbugs live solely on blood, having them in your home isn’t a sign of being unclean. You’re just as likely to find them in spotless homes and hotel rooms as in messier ones.
When Bedbugs Bite
Bedbugs are active mainly at night and generally bite people while they’re sleeping. They feed by piercing the skin and drawing blood through an elongated beak. They typically feed for three to ten minutes until they’re engorged, then crawl away unnoticed.
Most bedbug bites feel harmless at first but later turn into itchy welts. Unlike flea bites, which are mostly around the ankles, bedbug bites can appear on any area of skin exposed while sleeping, and they don’t have the red center dot that flea bites often do.
People who don’t realize they have a bedbug infestation sometimes attribute the itching and welts to other causes, like mosquitoes. To confirm bedbug bites, you need to actually find and identify the bugs themselves.
How Can BedBugs Get Into My Home
They can come from other infested areas or from secondhand furniture. They often hitch a ride in luggage, bags, backpacks, or other items placed on soft or upholstered surfaces.
They can also travel between units in multi-unit buildings, like apartment complexes and hotels.
When staying in a hotel, place your bag on a luggage rack instead of on the bed or floor, and keep the rack away from walls or furniture. When you get home, wash the clothes from your trip and run them through a hot dryer.
Check new and used furniture before bringing it inside. Look in seams, folds, and under cushions.
How Do I Control A BedBugs Problem In My Home
It can be done, but it generally requires what’s called an “integrated pest management” (IPM) approach, which combines methods that pose the smallest risk to your health and the environment. Try these strategies:
- Clean up and get rid of clutter, especially in your bedroom.
- Move your bed away from walls or furniture.
- Vacuum moldings, windows, and floors daily. Vacuum the seams and sides of mattresses, box springs, and furniture. Empty the vacuum or its bag immediately, and dispose of it outside in a sealed container or bag.
- Wash bedding, pillowcases, robes, and bed skirts and run them through a hot dryer for at least 30 minutes. Consider using mattress and box spring covers, the kind used for dust mite control, and seal the zippers with duct tape.
- Seal cracks, crevices, and any openings where pipes or cables enter the home.
How Do I Know If I Have A BedBugs Problem
You may spot the bugs themselves, their shed skins, or their droppings on mattress seams and other objects around the bedroom.
There may also be small blood stains on your sheets.
Should I Also Try Pesticides
Pesticides may not be effective on their own and can be dangerous if used improperly. If you decide to use them, follow these rules:
- Only use pesticides registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and make sure they’re specifically labeled for bedbug control.
- Never apply pesticides directly to your body; there are no repellents registered for bedbug control that are meant for use on skin.
- Never use outdoor-labeled pesticides indoors.
- If you decide to hire a pest control company, make sure they have real experience with bedbugs. They should follow an IPM approach alongside any pesticide treatment, and should be a registered company using certified applicators. Your state’s Department of Environmental Conservation (or equivalent agency) typically maintains a list of registered companies.
Hey everyone! I’m Luciana, a travel writer from Colombia. I focus on places I know and love — mostly Colombia, Central America, and North America.
I’m all about discovering those hidden gems that don’t always make it into the guidebooks — think street food stalls, quiet little towns, underrated hiking trails, and the kind of real-life moments that truly capture what a place is all about.
Whether I’m wandering through vibrant markets in Guatemala, cruising across the deserts of the U.S., or hiking the Andes, I try to keep it real and useful — no fluff, just the good stuff.
When I’m not off exploring or writing about it, you’ll probably find me sipping too much coffee, editing photos, or dreaming up my next trip.
Let’s keep discovering and traveling smarter — one trip at a time.