Can bed bugs live in walls?

Bed bugs have different hiding spots throughout the house. They always try to find sheltered and dark places, such as crevasses and cracks in the walls. They do live in walls and many other sites. You only need to know where to look.

Some of us wake up every morning with new bed bug bites and have never seen one of these creepy crawlies. Why is that? Where can you find them, and what can you do to get rid of them?

Can Bed Bugs live in our walls? Yes they not only CAN live in the walls of our home but its actually a preferred place for them to live. Bed Bugs are so small they can fit into small cracks in walls where they sleep during the day and bite at night.

Favorite hiding spots of a bed bug infestation

Bed bugs have many hiding spots, and they are very good at finding sheltered and dark places in your house. They survive and thrive there, laying their eggs in the dark where nobody can squish them. So consider this list if you are waking up with marks all over your body and want to find those bed bug hiding spots:

• Cracks and crevasses in your wall: Bed bugs can live in your wall if you have irregularities, cracks, crevasses, or any dark and sheltered spot where they can hide.
• Behind the wallpapers: The wallpaper is a common hiding spot, especially when they have torn pieces or when it is starting to peel off.
• Cracked and old furniture: Acquiring old furniture is a common way to get bed bugs. They live in furniture and only need a small crack to lay their eggs
• Inside intact furniture: Even if you have undamaged furniture, it can be a hiding spot for bed bugs. For instance, they can hide behind or below the shelves in a cabinet or wardrobe if there’s enough space.
• Inside the mattress: If your mattress is torn and very old, it can be a hiding spot for bed bugs. This is actually one of the preferred hiding spots because it leaves them and their infant bed bugs very near their blood source.
• Behind the baseboard: Like the wallpaper, if you have any peel off, bed bugs can live behind your baseboard. They only need a small entry point, and they will start reproducing there.
• In electrical outlets: Bed bugs usually don’t live in electrical outlets unless we’re talking about a more severe infestation. But it should always be considered as an option if you’re in the lookout.
• In the clutter: Having too much stuff in your house gives bed bugs plenty of new places to hide. All they need is enough clutter gathering around to create sheltered spaces in your shelves.

Why you don’t usually see bed bugs

If bed bugs can be almost anywhere and you’re waking up with several spots all over your body, why don’t you see them? Can bed bugs be seen with the human eye? That is because bed bugs only crawl out of their hiding spots at night. They would never show up during the daytime. When you’re asleep, they look for heat sources and have their blood meal. They are stealth bloodsuckers and won’t likely wake you up when they are eating. In most cases, they would bite 3-5 times until they are satisfied, leaving a sort of pattern in your skin. Then, they return to their hiding spot as fast as possible.

After having a new meal, bed bugs do not really need another until 5-7 days after. So, the number of bed bugs crawling at night is reduced and very limited. That’s why you’re very unlikely to see bed bugs, even in infected houses.

Undoubtedly, the more severe the house infestation becomes, the more likely it will be to find a bed bug outside of its hiding place. The carpet is a common place to see them in this situation. They try to hide there because it is somewhat similar to their typical hiding places. That’s why it is essential to vacuum carpets, double-bag the vacuum bag, and throw it immediately in your attempt to eradicate bed bugs.

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What can you do about it?

Bed bugs living in your wall, in cracks and crevasses, and your mattress are difficult to deal with. However, you may prevent a severe infestation by following these recommendations:

• Find out where they’re hiding: You may need to be creative and think about small and dark places where they may be hiding.
• Look for suitable solutions to control the pest: You can choose between insecticides or more environmentally friendly solutions, such as diatomaceous earth. The former is very effective against this and other pests; the latter is better if you have small children or pets.
• Remove your clutter: All of your attempts will likely fail if you don’t clean your house thoroughly and remove the clutter. Doing so is part of the extermination.
• Vacuum your carpet: This step is fundamental if you have a moderate or severe infestation. In any case, there’s always a possibility that bed bugs are hiding in your carpet.
• Hire a professional: It is always recommended to look for professional help if you’re not sure or had previous failed attempts to get rid of bed bugs. They have all the tools and previous experience to search for, prevent, and kill bed bugs.

Bed bugs do not only live in your walls. They can be almost anywhere, as long as their hiding place is sheltered, dark, and safe. Inspect your walls closely, especially if you know there are cracks and crevasses, and look at the floorboards, too. If you have doubts about how to get rid of them, ask a professional.

References:

Anderson, A. L., & Leffler, K. (2008). Bedbug infestations in the news: a picture of an emerging public health problem in the United States. Journal of Environmental Health, 70(9), 24-28.

Ter Poorten, M. C., & Prose, N. S. (2005). The return of the common bedbug. Pediatric dermatology, 22(3), 183-187.

Hentley, W. T., Webster, B., Evison, S. E., & Siva-Jothy, M. T. (2017). Bed bug aggregation on dirty laundry: a mechanism for passive dispersal. Scientific reports, 7(1), 1-5.

Asplen, M. K. (2018). Dispersal strategies in terrestrial insects. Current opinion in insect science, 27, 16-20.