Remember the old saying “don’t let the bed bugs bite?” Did you ever wonder where they came from? These bugs can be visible to the naked eye, but are rarely seen in well-lit areas. This is because they are used to being active in dark and damp places. They are usually active during the nighttime hours, especially before sunrise. During the day, these cowards find places to hide because they instinctively run away when exposed to light. There are many places where they can hide so long as they are areas where little to no light is present.
So where do they hide?
Many of them, including mature adults and baby nymphs, can be found in the creases or crevices of furniture. They also can be found in the plastic corner of a box spring, the mattresses’ seaming and behind the headboards. They hide in your sofa, luggage and even books! Look behind photos and paintings that hang on the walls. They can also live in furniture that would be discarded or abandoned outdoors. Furniture that is wet from precipitation can attract these bugs since they also live in damp spots. Bed bugs don’t necessarily need to be found in beds. Because of their flat, small bodies, they can be found in even the tiniest crevices of your house.
A solution to the infestation problem is to call a professional exterminator. Experienced exterminators know where these pests hide and will perform an “inspection” to verify their presence. While some extermination services can be expensive, it is perhaps the only way to ensure that your residence will be free from terrible infestation.
Some household chemicals can also be used to kill bed bugs, but can cause adverse health effects if used improperly. The key to getting rid of these bugs is to know where they are hiding. If you are having difficulty finding any of them, consider hiring a K9 dog specifically trained to sniff out these annoying insects. Perhaps the most effective approach is to have a dog pinpoint all the hiding places, so they can be properly treated for good.
Bed bugs are professionals when it comes to finding a hiding place. When spotted, they move fast. It is better to catch them quickly when in a dark place with a flashlight. While it may not be the best idea to be up at this time of day, the peak activity time for them is during the pre-dawn hours.