What is the house of bed bugs called? - briefly
The location where bed bugs reside is termed a harborage, often described as a bed‑bug harbor or infestation site. It typically includes mattress seams, cracks, and furniture crevices.
What is the house of bed bugs called? - in detail
The dwelling that bed bugs occupy is referred to as a harborage. Harborage denotes any location where the insects rest, reproduce, and hide during periods of inactivity. Typical harborage sites include:
- seams and folds of mattresses, box springs, and bed frames
- headboards, footboards, and upholstered furniture cushions
- cracks in walls, baseboards, and floor joints
- behind picture frames, electrical outlets, and wall hangings
- luggage, clothing, and personal items left on or near sleeping areas
Bed bugs select harborage based on darkness, proximity to a blood source, and limited disturbance. The insects aggregate in clusters, forming a dense population that can be observed as a white‑to‑brown smear of excrement or shed skins. Egg‑laying occurs within the same protected zones, and newly hatched nymphs remain nearby until they mature.
Understanding the concept of harborage aids in inspection and treatment. Professionals locate the exact spots by:
- Examining all bedding components for live bugs, fecal spots, and eggs.
- Using a flashlight to inspect seams, tags, and hidden crevices.
- Employing interceptors or sticky traps beneath bed legs to confirm activity.
Effective control measures target harborage directly. Options include:
- steam treatment to eradicate bugs and eggs in situ
- encasement of mattresses and box springs to isolate the insects
- application of approved residual insecticides to cracks and voids
- removal and laundering of infested textiles at temperatures above 50 °C
Eliminating the harborage eliminates the primary refuge of the pest, thereby disrupting its life cycle and preventing reinfestation.