How to determine if bedbugs are in a sofa? - briefly
Inspect seams, cushions, and fabric for live insects, dark fecal spots, or shed skins using a flashlight and a fine‑toothed brush; focus on hidden folds and stitching. Place a sticky trap under the sofa legs for several days and examine it for captured bedbugs.
How to determine if bedbugs are in a sofa? - in detail
Detecting bed‑bug activity on a couch requires systematic visual and tactile examination. Begin by removing all removable cushions and turning the sofa upside down. Use a bright flashlight or a headlamp to illuminate seams, folds, and underside surfaces. Look for live insects, which are approximately 4‑5 mm long, reddish‑brown, and flat when unfed. Examine the edges of fabric, piping, and any stitching where insects hide.
Identify characteristic signs:
- Small, dark spots (fecal stains) on fabric or wooden frames.
- Tiny, whitish eggs about 1 mm in size, often clustered near seams.
- Shed exoskeletons, which appear as translucent shells after molting.
- Blood‑tinged spots on cushions, indicating feeding.
Employ tools to increase detection accuracy:
- A magnifying glass (10×) to view minute eggs and shells.
- A portable UV light; bed‑bug excrement fluoresces under ultraviolet illumination.
- Sticky interceptors placed under legs to capture wandering insects.
If visual evidence is inconclusive, use passive monitoring devices such as CO₂‑baited traps or pheromone‑based sticky pads positioned near the sofa. Run these for 48–72 hours to confirm presence.
When infestation is confirmed, isolate the sofa by covering it with a zippered encasement rated for bed‑bugs. Wash removable covers in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and dry on high heat. Vacuum all surfaces, discarding the bag immediately. Contact a licensed pest‑control professional for integrated treatment, which may include heat‑based eradication or targeted insecticide application.