Bed bugs have long held a place in the headlines. Usually these pests are associated with European backpackers falling victim at a hostel, or tourism hot spots like New York or Paris having hotel outbreaks. Though reading from afar can be alarming, more so is the rising trend of bed bugs being found in Upstate New York.
In Buffalo, outbreaks have been reported in senior living apartments and even the Tesla GigaFactory. Meanwhile, in Niagara Falls, the constant influx of tourists has hotels fighting around the clock to eradicate these pests.
To help visitors better prepare, and to provide a guide to residents, we will look at:
- Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?
- Areas Getting Hit The Hardest
- Where Do Bed Bugs Like To Hide?
- How to Check for Bed Bugs?
Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?
The thought of finding a bed bug is often enough to make someone’s skin itch. How about the idea that bed bugs are not just found in hotels and hostels. They can be found in almost any public space. So that begs the question: where do bed bugs come from?
Bed bugs have been around for centuries spreading through hitchhiking on people’s clothes, and luggage and living on frequently used bedding and furniture. DDT briefly seemed to put an end to bed bugs, but due to adverse health effects DDT was banned and they resurfaced.
The source of a bed bug infestation is not always known, as these pests are so mobile. This means even if you are not traveling, or your home is free of bed bugs, it does not mean you shouldn’t be on the lookout. Public spaces that see frequent visitors should be inspected and cleaned on a regular basis.
Areas Getting Hit The Hardest:
Buffalo, New York has been one of the worst cities for bed bugs for several years. The cases have been so bad that the problem has extended beyond lodging to offices, senior centers, and even a Tesla Factory!
For the rest of the state, here are the most common spaces where bed bugs are being found:
- Nursing Homes
- Hotels
- Apartment Buildings
- Offices – especially those public-facing with shared furniture
- Movie Theaters
- Universities and Colleges
Where Do Bed Bugs Like To Hide?
Bed bugs feed once a week and spend the rest of their time in hiding. In order to answer where do bed bugs hide, the first question is what space are you in?
Home
Bed bugs generally stick to the bedroom and the area around the bed. Here are some places to check:
- Seams and tags of the mattress and box spring
- Cracks on the bed frame and headboard
- Carpet around bed
- Drawer joints of nightstand
- Electrical receptacles
- Loose wall paper/picture frames
Other areas to check around the home:
- Carpeted spaces
- Clothes
- Laundry area
- Seams of chairs and couches/between cushions
- Curtains
Office
Bed bugs need to feed, so in an office environment they will hide in highly trafficked spaces where people will be present for extended periods of time. You should check:
- Reception area furniture
- Office chairs
- All carpeted areas
Hotel
You might already be checking your bedding and the mattress seams before your stay at a hotel, but here are a few more spots to check:
- Cracks on the bed frame and headboard
- Drawer joints of nightstand
- Carpet
- Luggage rack
- Upholstered furniture
- Electrical outlets
Pro tip: store your luggage in the bathroom until you have completed your inspection.
How To Check For Bed Bugs
So now you know where to look, but how should you do the inspection? We have an in-depth guide going over how to perform a bed bug inspection. The basics to know are:
Tools Needed
- Magnifying glass
- Strong flashlight
Check For Signs Of Life
- Live bugs: ranging in size from poppy seed to apple seed
- Droppings: usually dark colored stains on cloth or bumps on hard surfaces
- Shed skins: discarded after each of five stages of growth
- Eggs: very small, found among droppings or in crevices where adults hide
Check All Areas Around The Bed
- Take off sheets
- Inspect seams of mattress and boxspring
- Check headboard and nearby furniture
How To Check Furniture
- Pull out drawers and inspect every corner and the undersides
- Check seams of upholstered furniture
- Check between cushions and seams of couch
- Check any cracks where bed bugs could hide
Get A Free Inspection
Worried you might have bed bugs? EnviroPest offers free inspections so you can be ensured that your office, or home is free of bed bugs. If there is an issue, we will work fast to remedy it.
With branches from Buffalo to Albany, if you are anywhere in Western NY, the Finger Lakes, Central NY, the Southern Tier, the Mohawk Valley or the Capital Region, we can help you with your pest issues.
To schedule an inspection use the form below or give us a call: (855) GET-ENVIRO
