How to detect bedbugs on a couch at home? - briefly
Examine all seams, folds, and undersides of the couch with a bright light, looking for tiny reddish‑brown insects, dark fecal spots, or shed exoskeletons. Run a fine‑toothed comb or adhesive tape over suspicious areas to capture any hidden specimens.
How to detect bedbugs on a couch at home? - in detail
Bedbugs leave distinct visual clues on upholstered furniture. Examine seams, folds, and stitching for tiny, reddish‑brown insects about the size of an apple seed. Use a magnifying glass to improve accuracy.
Inspect the couch cushions. Remove them if possible; look beneath the fabric for live bugs, shed skins, or dark, pepper‑like fecal spots. Concentrate on the edges where the cushion meets the frame.
Check the frame and legs. Bedbugs often hide in cracks, joints, and under decorative tacks. Run a thin flashlight along these areas, watching for movement.
Use a sticky trap. Place adhesive pads beneath each leg for several days. Capture of insects confirms an infestation.
Collect a sample. Attach a small piece of clear tape to suspected insects or spots, seal in a plastic bag, and compare with reference images or send to a pest‑control professional.
If any of the following are found, the couch is compromised:
- Live bedbugs
- Empty exoskeletons
- Dark fecal stains (approximately 1 mm in diameter)
- Tiny white eggs attached to fabric fibers
Proceed with appropriate treatment—steam cleaning, encasement, or professional extermination—once evidence is confirmed.