Here, we seek to find out whether bed bugs live in wood.
Bed bugs are known to stay out of sight during the day but come out at night to feed (on blood).
So where do they hide? Where do they enter to conceal themselves?
These pests will find just about anywhere with adequate cover to hide.
It’s important to identify the likely living areas used by bed bugs. Such knowledge enhances your treatment methods as you get to target definite areas where these bugs are likely to be.
It’s evident that bed bugs do not live on humans but either hitch a ride to get into human dwellings or only come around to feed before going back.
Why Focus On Wood?
Wood is one of the most common materials found in and around homes. These range from engineered and natural wood. Since bed bugs live in cracks and crevices, woods are known to have lots of that.
This makes them potential hiding spots for bed bugs and other tiny insects.
Speaking on size, bed bugs are about the size of apple seeds. They measure about 5 to 7 mm long. They love to conceal their presence in just about any spot, crack, or crevice they find.
Woods are known to have an abundance of such.
Do Bed Bugs Live in Wood?
Can bed bugs live in wood furniture?
Consider the fact that a lot of furniture within your home is made from wood. This speaks volumes about the adaptability of bed bugs to such environments.
The tiny size and shape of these pests make it easy for them to hide in wood and other areas.
Having confirmed the ability of bugs to live in wood, some persons might consider the option of ridding their home of wooden furniture. This isn’t necessary and makes no sense at all.
Whether wooden furniture and items are cleared from a room or not, bed bugs will still find ways to remain.
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Bed Bug Shape
To explain the adaptability of bed bugs to different types of surroundings, you’ll need to look at their shape. These bugs are oval-shaped and flat.
This makes it possible for them to squeeze easily into any tiny crack or opening on wood.
You’ll also find bed bugs along crevices or tight wood joints. All such adaptations are aided by their size and shape. When fed, bed bugs tend to become a little more elongated and swollen instead of flat.
Even at that, they’ll still fit into wood crevices and cracks.
Wooden Furniture in Homes Where Bed Bugs Could Live
If you’re a bit confused about what wooden furniture to find bed bugs, these pests can get into pretty much anyone they can find.
Such furniture includes couches, coffee tables, tables, stools, chairs, spring boxes, bed desks, ottomans, dressers, dining tables, dining chairs, TV stands, and bookcases.
Other potential living areas (wooden furniture) include picture frames, futons, bunk beds, minibars, nightstands, and end tables just to name a few.
Any wooden furniture with a tight space to squeeze through is an ideal living spot for bed bugs.
However, one thing bed bugs can’t do without is a food source.
They need to be located as close as possible to where they can take a blood meal. This points to one location; your bed. Bed bugs can crawl out from hiding to feed before returning to base.
The majority (about 90%) of bed bug presence is concentrated around the bed area. However, you’ll find these bugs on carpets, couches, and any clutter around.
Signs of Bed Bugs On Wooden Furniture
It’s one thing to affirm the ability of bed bugs to live in wood and another to identify signs of their presence. It’s important to note that bed bugs won’t rest on wood surfaces. They look for tight spots to squeeze into.
Now, their presence isn’t easily noticeable. You’ll need to know signs to look out for.
Speaking of signs of bed bug presence in wood, you might be fortunate enough to spot one as it heads to its hiding place.
Other signs include brown marks from their feces as well as a musky odor which is noticeable when you step into the room.
Dry bloodstains may also be seen. Such bloodstains occur when bed bugs are crushed as they get their fill of blood. The blood seeps out of their body onto the furniture.
During the inspection, you might come across shed skins along with the furniture.
Investigating For Bed Bugs In Wood
The sign of bed bug presence on wooden furniture isn’t a confirmation of their actual presence. You’ll need to further investigate by using tools such as a flat prying tool. An old credit card will serve this purpose.
Also, find a light-colored sheet for this investigation as well as a flashlight.
With these tools obtained, place the sheet beneath the area or crevice to be probed. With the sheet beneath, run your flat tool across the joint or crevice. This should bring out some bugs if there are any within the crevice.
The light-colored sheet helps you examine the bugs.
With Bed Bugs Confirmed In Wood What Next?
Before now, you may have probably been bitten by these bugs as they harbor around your bed environment.
Having investigated and found these bugs to exist. It’s high time to take urgent measures. Such measures must be effective, to begin with.
Your best bet is to call for professional treatment. This is offered by reputable pest management services that conduct another round of inspection to ascertain the level of infestation.
A wide range of treatments is available, ranging from chemical control, and natural treatments.
You get to make an input regarding your preferred treatment approach. Most people prefer natural treatments for purposes of safety.
Why DIY Treatment is a Bad Idea
Bed bug infestation is a difficult problem to deal with. As such, you’ll need to allow the pros to handle the job. In other words, ditch your DIY approach to treatment to save time.
Bed bugs are prolific breeders. When urgent action isn’t taken, your home is overrun by them.
Now you know! Bed bugs live in wood and can easily stay out of sight using crevices and cracks as hideouts. You’ll need to have such wood investigated as shown above before applying treatment.