Do Bed Bugs Only Live In Beds? Where Do They Hide In?

Reading Time: 7 minutes

As the name suggests, bed bugs are small creatures that like to live in beds. But do they only live there? Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs can live almost anywhere and can even thrive in small spaces. They can withstand dry conditions for extended periods due to their ability to enter a state of torpid hypoxia, which is a type of hibernation where their metabolism slows down almost to zero.

If you think you may have spotted bed bugs, read on for more information about how these pests operate, which places in your house are their favorites, and the temperatures that suit them well.

Do Bed Bugs Only Live In Beds

Do bed bugs only live in beds?

If you have bed bugs, they would like to live in your bed. Bed bugs are tiny insects, and there is a special place for them to live, called the “bed bug habitat.” They would not be able to survive outside of their “bed bug habitat,” so if you have bed bugs, they must have gotten into your bed and stayed there.

The bed bug habitat includes a long and narrow space (typically more than six inches wide), which is usually located under the box spring or mattress. This space is also called a “nest”. The bed bug needs to be able to move freely in this nest so it can extend its wings and lay eggs.

If you start moving your furniture, taking down curtains, or cleaning the bedbug habitat, you will kill the bedbugs inside it.

Do bed bugs live in mattresses only?

Bed bugs live in many places in the home, but they are most often found in beds and mattresses. They can hide anywhere if there is a crevice that they can fit into. Bedding, bed frames, and box springs are all common places for bed bugs to hide. Mattresses are often the preferred hiding spot as they are flat and easy to access.

Do Bed Bugs Live In Mattresses Only

If you think you have bed bugs, you should check your mattress immediately for signs of bed bugs.

  • Look for small brown or black spots on your mattress. Bed bugs usually leave behind blood spots on the sheets and pillowcases as well. It’s best to do a visual inspection of your entire mattress if you’re unsure about where to look first.
  • You can also use an electronic bed bug detector to help you find any bed bugs that may be hiding in other areas of your home, such as under dressers or nightstands. If there are any signs of bed bugs found, it’s important to act quickly, so they don’t have time to reproduce and spread throughout the home.

Here is a complete guide on how to kill bed bugs.

Can bed bugs live on air mattresses?

Bed bugs can live on any porous surface, including bed mattresses. Because bed bugs hide in crevices and cracks, they are difficult to detect and can be transported from one place to another. Therefore, it is important to take preventive measures to prevent an infestation of bed bugs. These measures include cleaning the mattress thoroughly, inspecting the box spring and surrounding areas for signs of infestation, and placing encasements over exposed bed frame joints and headboards.

Do bedbugs only feed on you while you’re sleeping?

Do Bedbugs Only Feed On You While You’re Sleeping

Bed bugs have a unique feeding pattern. While they do feed on the blood of their host, which makes them easier to detect, they are also very efficient and will seek out a host’s blood while the host is sleeping. This can make it hard to tell if you’re being bitten and can make it difficult to know when they’ve been feeding. Bed bugs often feed on the arms and legs, so if you notice bites in these areas, bed bugs are likely feeding.

There are two main ways that bed bugs are known to feed on their hosts:

  • While the host is asleep: This is where they are most likely to feed. They will bite the skin at the base of the neck and then climb up along the hairline with their mouthparts until they reach the skin of their host’s face or scalp, where they will inject saliva into the skin with their needle-like mouthparts. This allows them to feed for several hours before finally falling off when they crawl back down the hairline to their hiding place.
  • When their host is awake: In this case, the bed bug will bite their host when they move around suddenly or when they accidentally brush up against them. Since this is not a reliable way for a bed bug to get food, it’s much less common than sleeping time feeding (although it does still occur). When this happens, it is also a sign of a huge infestation that bed bugs are not just limited to your bed; now they are growing everywhere in the house.

When we wake up with a bite, these are the most common biting insects that bite humans at night, so confirm first which insect bit you and act accordingly.

What are common signs of an infestation?

These are the most common signs of an early infestation.

  • On linens and mattresses, bed bugs leave crimson or rust-colored marks.
  • Their faeces, in the form of pin-sized black stains, can also be seen on sheets and furniture.
  • Small, white bed bug eggs indicate an infestation. How Do Bed Bugs Eggs Look Like with Pictures Overtime?
  • There are several entries on this subject on our blog that you should read. Here is a complete guide on the main cause of bed bugs.

Conclusion

Usually, bed bugs are most often found in beds and mattresses. More specifically, they tend to choose mattress seams and sheets. If the infestation is extensive, bed bugs live between chairs, couches, and curtains. They are also found in electric outlets, under loose wallpaper, and behind picture frames.

Bed bugs are not bound to one place. They can survive anywhere in the house, but the temperature that suits them well is mostly available in beds, sofa sets, and in clutter. Bed bugs cannot survive long in extreme temperatures, whether it is extremely hot or freezing. 

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FAQs

  • Can bed bugs live in a room without a bed?

    Bed bugs may survive for up to 4.5 months or more in an unoccupied house before dying off. The presence of a blood meal host and the temperature of the house are the two key elements that affect how fast or slowly the bed bugs will die.

  • Where do bedbugs live beside beds?

    You may find bed bugs if the room is badly infested: In the seams of chairs and couches, between cushions, and between curtain folds. In the drawer joints in electrical outlets and appliances

  • What brings bed bugs out of hiding?

    Because humans produce heat, heat attracts bed bugs. The bugs will believe they are on their way to a human victim. Before attacking and biting, the bugs will most likely stay around the victim for a few minutes.