The bed bug is quite stealthy when hidden in your home. Even Sherlock Holmes would have a few exasperated sessions trying to locate them. Since the bed bug is about the size of a grain of salt, you must look for their "droppings" to know you have a bed bug issue and not a stray spider or whatever else is biting you.

The good thing is that the bed bug bite is red, itchy, and welts up. Below is a picture for clarification. Another plus is that their waste is reddish-brown when they feed, which can be seen on your mattress and in the seams. See below for a photo. OK, let's breakdown hiding places:

 

 

Bedroom Areas

The first place you want to check is your bed, headboards, mattress, box springs, bedding, night table, creases, and floor cracks. As we shared above, the remains are reddish-brown, and sometimes they leave their exoskeletons. I know, gross, but like a caterpillar, they grow out of their baby seed. When the bed bug is an egg, it's clear, and only when it feeds does it turn red and grow. See the picture below.
 

 

If You Have a Heavy Infestation

Bed bugs love dark, musty, sheltered areas; they're "shady" like that. LOL, Ok, back to business, You will find an infestation in the following areas:

 

• Carpets, linens, rugs, bedding, and curtains.
• Where the wall meets the ceiling corners.
• Cushions, seams, and crevices of couches, chairs, and other upholstered furniture.
• Check wallpaper, behind picture frames, and baseboards.
• Behind switch plates and inside electrical appliances. 
• Tables, chairs, inside desk drawers, and their corners.

 

You might even find them in your closet, hiding in your clothes. If you find them, wash your clothes and dry them above 120 degrees. They cannot last in a dryer for over 20–30 minutes at that heat.

 

Other Bed Bugs Zones

Since bed bugs are very tiny, they can slide through the smallest openings. This includes wood, walls, furniture, clothing, and bedding.

Backpacks and suitcases can be infiltrated by bed bugs as well. This is one way they travel from person to person. If an infected person gets on a train, bus, or car seat, it is not safe. As long as the temperatures are above 50 °F, they are pretty comfy. 

 

Bed Bugs Go Everywhere

If there is a domestic residence, that's just what a bed bug looks for. There are reports of outbreaks in schools, nursing homes, hospitals, college campuses, and office buildings. NYC had an epidemic a few years ago, and it was 5-Star Hotels that were affected, not just cheap hotels. All these places have one thing in common: human blood was there. Bed bugs search just for that.

Lately, there have been movie theatres and stores attacked. Infestation happens because someone came to those areas and had bed bugs that fell off, or if they were trying on clothes, the bed bugs went to the new outfit. That's a scary thought—another reason to wash your store-bought items before wearing or putting them on your body.

Many kids have stuffed animals and toys, perfect hiding spots for the dreaded bloodsuckers. At least you can wash the stuffed animals. You can throw the toys in the dishwasher for cleaning.
 

 

Our natural, plant-based Bed Bug Patrol Killer Spray provides an all-natural solution to infestations of bed bugs, as well as fleas, spiders, and other common indoor bugs. Our 100% natural solution is made in the USA. It relies on the power of natural ingredients like citric acid, clove oil, and peppermint oil to naturally deter these bugs from living in your furnishings and upholstery. Just spray our solution on affected surfaces twice per day, and it will get to work on exterminating your bed bugs and preventing their return. To keep you safe from bed bugs on your travels, arm yourself with our Bed Bug Blasting Travel Spray, which comes in a handy, TSA-approved travel-size bottle for your convenience.