How to know if there are bedbugs in furniture? - briefly
Inspect seams, cushions, and crevices for small, reddish‑brown insects, dark fecal spots, and tiny white eggs; use a flashlight and a stiff brush to reveal hidden specimens. Confirm presence by capturing a suspect and comparing it to verified images of Cimex lectularius.
How to know if there are bedbugs in furniture? - in detail
Detecting bedbugs in furniture requires systematic visual inspection, tactile assessment, and, when necessary, laboratory confirmation.
First, examine seams, joints, and folds of upholstered pieces. Look for live insects measuring 4–5 mm, reddish‑brown, and flattened after feeding. Their eggs appear as tiny white specks, often clustered near crevices.
Second, search for excrement marks. Dark‑brown spots resembling pepper grains indicate recent feeding. These deposits may appear on fabric, wood, or metal components.
Third, assess for shed skins. Bedbugs molt several times; discarded exoskeletons are translucent and match the size of the insect at various growth stages.
Fourth, use a flashlight or a magnifying lens to improve visibility in low‑light areas. A handheld UV light can reveal fecal stains that fluoresce under ultraviolet radiation.
Fifth, consider passive traps. Place interceptor cups beneath furniture legs; bugs attempting to climb will fall into the collection dish, providing evidence without direct handling.
If visual signs are ambiguous, collect suspected material in a sealed container and send it to an entomology laboratory for microscopic identification.
When infestation is confirmed, isolate the affected items. Remove detachable covers and launder them at temperatures above 60 °C. For non‑removable pieces, apply a certified insecticide according to label instructions, focusing on seams and hidden cavities.
Finally, implement preventive measures: keep furniture away from walls, reduce clutter that offers hiding places, and regularly inspect new acquisitions before introducing them into the living space.