7 non-obvious places where bed bugs can live

No one would want to share their home with uninvited guests. Especially when it comes to bed bugs, which, although not dangerous to human health, can make life very difficult.

These small brown insects multiply rapidly and actively nest in upholstered furniture and fabrics. They feed on human blood and can leave behind itchy wounds if a person is allergic. It is not easy to get rid of them, so it is better to prevent their appearance by knowing the places where they can live. Tom's Guide has figured out where not to go to avoid accidentally bringing bedbugs home.

Antique stores with old furniture

It's no surprise that bedbugs love old furniture, which is why it's best to avoid armchairs and sofas. In addition, used furniture attracts bed bugs because of the human odours and oils that remain in these places.

In turn, reputable antique stores should check the furniture before putting it up for sale. Therefore, if you are interested in such furniture, it is better to check the place where you are going to buy furniture.

Cinemas and public places

Realizing that upholstered furniture is particularly attractive to bedbugs, public places such as cinemas, theatres, or restaurants are also at risk. In addition, there is also a lot of traffic in these places, with many people entering, leaving and touching the seats with their clothes and bags. Thus, insects can move freely and even enter your home.

It should be noted that insects are interested not in your clothes but in inanimate textiles such as fabric bags and loose coats that are great for them to move around and hide. So, you should make sure the place you are going to is hygienic and check your clothes more often.

Hotels

Hotels are the next place where most people bring unwanted roommates into their homes. When you stay in a room, the first thing you should pay attention to is the bedding, namely the mattress and bed linen. After all, what could be better for a bed bug than a bed where many new people sleep around the clock?

The only way to kill bed bugs is to wash the bedding at high enough temperatures. However, since bed bugs can spread very quickly and temporarily hide in other furniture, it's worth checking hotel reviews and inspecting the sheets upon arrival before jumping into bed.

Dirty laundry

Returning to the point with the linen, it is worth emphasizing that washing the laundry in high temperatures will not only kill insects but also make the bed an uninteresting target. After all, bed bugs are primarily attracted not to the bed itself but to human odours: sweat, blood, and other secretions. That is why cleanliness is a guarantee of safety.

Public transportation

This is the same public place as cafes, restaurants, and theatres, which is a hotbed for bed bugs. However, while in other places you can find out about the presence of bedbugs in advance and simply avoid such places, transportation it is a little more difficult. Not everyone can refuse to travel around the city by public transport. That's why you should pay attention to news about a bedbug outbreak to avoid travelling during this time.

Restrooms

Earlier, it was mentioned that bed bugs can be transported directly on the body in public places. One of the obvious opportunities for such spread is coats. In places where people leave their outerwear, there is always a high probability that a bed bug can get on it. The problem here may not be in the place itself and its sterility but in the proximity of your clothes to other clothes that may already have insects on them.

Suitcases

Just like a traveller, a suitcase also travels. Suitcases spend hours with other suitcases in the airplane baggage compartment. It is then transported to the hotel for some time, finally arriving in the room and making the long journey back again. During this time, bed bugs have plenty of opportunities to get into your suitcase and travel home with you.

Thus, it is recommended to avoid suitcases made of fabrics and choose hard-shell models that will be less attractive to insects. In addition, after travelling, you should pay attention to examining your luggage and washing your laundry and clothing in hot water.