Where do bedbugs usually live? - briefly
Bed bugs inhabit tight cracks and crevices near people, most commonly within mattress seams, box springs, headboards, and upholstered furniture. They also colonize luggage, clothing, and wall voids when an infestation expands.
Where do bedbugs usually live? - in detail
Bedbugs are nocturnal parasites that seek secluded, protected environments close to human hosts. Their primary refuges are found in sleeping areas, where they have direct access to blood meals.
Typical hiding spots include:
- seams, folds, and tufts of mattresses and box springs
- cracks and crevices in headboards, bed frames, and footboards
- behind wallpaper, picture frames, and wall baseboards
- inside upholstered furniture, particularly cushions and under cushions
- in the folds of curtains, drapes, and blinds
- within the joints and gaps of sofas, recliners, and chairs
- around electrical outlets, switches, and wiring boxes
- under floorboards, carpet edges, and in wall voids
Additional locations beyond private residences are common in transient environments:
- luggage, backpacks, and travel bags
- seats and upholstery of trains, buses, and airplanes
- hotel rooms, especially in high‑turnover establishments
- dormitory rooms and shared housing units
Bedbugs favor temperatures between 70 °F and 90 °F (21 °C–32 °C) and humidity levels that prevent desiccation, conditions typically present in indoor sleeping spaces. Their ability to survive for months without feeding allows them to persist in these habitats until a suitable host appears.