How do bedbugs hide behind wallpaper? - briefly
Bedbugs slip into the thin space between the wall and the wallpaper, using the adhesive edge as a protected crevice. They stay concealed there until they emerge to feed.
How do bedbugs hide behind wallpaper? - in detail
Bedbugs exploit the narrow gap between a wall surface and its decorative covering. The adhesive layer of wallpaper, typically 1–2 mm thick, creates a concealed pocket where insects can slip in without being seen. Their flattened bodies allow them to press tightly against the paper, making detection difficult.
The insects enter this space through several routes:
- Small tears or lifting edges left during installation or later damage.
- Gaps around trim, baseboards, or electrical outlets that intersect the wallpaper’s edge.
- Loose seams where overlapping strips meet, providing a continuous tunnel.
Once inside, bedbugs use the following strategies to remain hidden:
- They cluster in the crevice, where light does not reach, reducing visual cues for predators and humans.
- The paper’s texture offers a stable substrate for laying eggs; the eggs adhere to the adhesive backing, protecting them from disturbance.
- The humidity trapped between wall and paper maintains a micro‑environment suitable for their development, preventing desiccation.
Movement occurs primarily at night. Bedbugs emerge from the concealed pocket to feed, then retreat before daylight. Their ability to crawl through the narrow gap enables them to travel across large wall areas without exposing themselves.
Control measures must address the hidden channel directly. Removing the wallpaper, inspecting the underlying wall for cracks, and sealing all entry points eliminate the protected corridor. Applying a suitable insecticide to the exposed surface before removal can also reduce the population within the concealed space.