Where do household bedbugs live in an apartment? - briefly
Bed bugs conceal themselves in cracks and crevices close to sleeping zones, including mattress seams, box‑spring folds, headboard joints, and baseboard gaps. They also occupy upholstered furniture, picture frames, electrical outlet covers, and spaces behind wallpaper or wall hangings.
Where do household bedbugs live in an apartment? - in detail
Bed bugs tend to occupy concealed areas that provide shelter, proximity to hosts, and easy access to food sources. Within a typical apartment, they are most frequently found in the following locations:
- Mattress seams, box‑spring folds, and headboard joints.
- Bed frame cracks, slats, and metal brackets.
- Upholstered furniture: cushions, creases, and under the frames of sofas and chairs.
- Wall or floor baseboards, especially where wallpaper or paint is peeling.
- Behind picture frames, mirrors, and wall hangings.
- Inside cabinet interiors, especially near clothing or linens.
- Behind or beneath electrical outlets, switch plates, and light fixtures.
- Under carpet edges, floorboard gaps, and in floor joist cavities.
- In luggage, backpacks, and personal items left on the floor or in closets.
- Within curtains, drapes, and window blind cords.
Bed bugs also exploit any small crack or seam in building materials, such as drywall joints, plaster cracks, and gaps around plumbing fixtures. Their presence in these sites is facilitated by the insects’ flat bodies, which allow them to hide in spaces as thin as 1 mm. Regular inspection of the listed areas, combined with prompt removal of infested items, reduces the likelihood of a sustained infestation.