How to check a bed for bedbugs? - briefly
Examine the mattress, box spring, and headboard with a bright flashlight, pulling back linens and inspecting seams, folds, and crevices for live insects, shed skins, or dark fecal spots. Place sticky interceptors under each leg and vacuum the surrounding area to capture any hidden pests for confirmation.
How to check a bed for bedbugs? - in detail
Inspecting a sleeping surface for Cimex lectularius requires systematic visual examination and targeted sampling. Begin by removing all bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and mattress protectors. Wash and dry items on the hottest settings permitted, then set them aside for later re‑use.
Examine the mattress and box spring surface under bright, direct light. Use a flashlight at a low angle to reveal shadows where insects hide. Focus on:
- Seams, folds, and tufts where fabric is stitched.
- Tags, labels, and any embroidered logos.
- Buttonholes and corners of the mattress.
- The underside of the box spring and any wooden slats.
Probe each area with a blunt instrument such as a wooden dowel or a disposable toothpick. Gently lift fabric to expose hidden crevices. Look for live bugs, which appear as flat, reddish‑brown insects about 4–5 mm long, and for their shed skins (exuviae), which are translucent and papery.
Inspect the headboard, footboard, and bed frame. Remove any detachable panels and check joints, screws, and paint chips. For wooden frames, scrape a small amount of sawdust from cracks and examine it under a magnifier. Metal frames should be examined for corrosion pits that can shelter insects.
Extend the search to surrounding furniture and fixtures:
- Nightstands, especially drawers and under‑table surfaces.
- Wall hangings, picture frames, and electrical outlets near the bed.
- Carpets, rugs, and floorboards directly beneath the bed.
Place interceptors or double‑sided tape traps beneath each leg of the bed. Leave them in place for 48–72 hours; captured insects confirm activity. If available, use a portable heat source (e.g., a hair dryer set to high) to warm suspect areas for a few minutes, causing bedbugs to become more active and easier to spot.
Collect any suspected specimens with a disposable pipette or tweezers, place them in a sealed container, and label with date and location. Send samples to a certified entomology laboratory for definitive identification if uncertainty remains.
After the inspection, launder all bedding at ≥ 60 °C, vacuum the mattress and surrounding area thoroughly, and discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister immediately. Consider encasing the mattress and box spring in a certified bedbug‑proof cover to trap any remaining insects and prevent re‑infestation.