Despite their name, bed bugs don’t just take up residence in beds. Bed bugs can make their homes in virtually any room of your home whether humans spend a lot of time, including the ever-comfortable family room sofa. In this post, we’ll teach you how to check for bed bugs in a couch and provide you with bed bug couch treatment tips, so you can spot infestations and take action quickly.
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small parasitic insects living off mammals’ blood, including humans. Their size and shape resemble an apple seed. Before a meal, bed bugs are translucent and may be difficult to see. After they eat, the blood of their prey causes their bodies to turn a reddish-brown color.
Finding bed bugs or bed bug eggs on a couch doesn’t mean that you have a dirty home. Bed bugs can infiltrate clean, sanitary homes as they look for their next blood meal. The insects are strong jumpers, so when a person encounters one somewhere, they may cling to their clothing or belongings until they can find a place to settle in.
Do bed bugs bite?
Bed bugs bite to feed. Their bites may go undiscovered in some cases because they are very small. Some people experience itching and swelling following a bite. In rare cases, allergic reactions can occur. The good news is that bed bugs don’t pose significant risks to human health. The CDC explains that these insects aren’t known to carry harmful viruses and bacteria or spread disease.
How to tell if a couch has bed bugs
Bed bugs are fast and nocturnal, meaning you’re more likely to find clues of their presence rather than spotting the bugs themselves, especially during the early stages of infestations. Be on the lookout for the following:
- Blood stains on the surfaces of cushions that transferred from skin
- Dark spots on the cushions, beneath the cushions, or on the frame, signs of bed bug feces
- Smear marks anywhere on the sofa, indicating that feces was disturbed by pests or people
- Musty smell in the area around the couch
- Finding empty shells cast off by bed bugs as they grow
How to check for bed bugs in a leather couch
Leather couches can host bed bugs, but infestations can be harder to spot. To check for pests, examine:
- Folds and creases along backrests, armrests, and seat cushions
- Around the legs
- Inside of storage areas
- On the mattress or springs of a sleeper sofa
- Inside of metal recliner mechanisms
How do you get rid of bed bugs in a couch?
Hiring a professional pest control service is the best way to get bed bugs out of a couch. While there are home remedies, they may not fully eliminate bed bugs.
Once bed bugs enter a home, an infestation can grow quickly. One female can lay 200 to 250 eggs during their lifespan, and the larvae hatch within six to 10 days. This quick growth means that if you find bed bugs in a fabric or leather couch, the insects may already be in other parts of your home. Pest control technicians know where else to look for bed bugs, giving you peace of mind that the problem is being fully addressed.
If you spot bed bugs on your couch, wrap it in plastic or a bed bug bag. Check the surrounding furniture and wrap or bag any other pieces where you find evidence of bed bugs. And call Hawx Pest Control right away.
Can bed bugs infest other types of furniture?
In addition to beds and couches, bed bugs can infest other types of furniture, including:
- Ottomans
- Accent chairs
- Recliners
- Chaises
- Sectionals
- Hinges on storage furniture like cabinets, desks and entertainment centers
- Televisions
- Computers
- Air purifiers
You may also find bed bugs on your carpeting, baseboards, light sockets, light switches, and outlets.
Bed bug pest control services
To effectively address bed bug infestations, leave the work to the pros. The knowledgeable licensed technicians at Hawx Pest Control can determine how to kill bed bugs in a couch and inspect the rest of the home to see if the pests are elsewhere. We use state-of-the-art tools and technologies to get rid of bed bugs in your home.
