Do Bed Bugs Live in Dressers? Here’s the Shocking Truth
One of the first things most people wonder when they have a bed bug infestation is: do bed bugs live in dressers? We tend to automatically think of beds, couches, and carpet when we hear “infestation.”
But the reality is that bed bugs are stealthy and can live in different corners of home aside from the mattress. Let’s discuss how bed bugs act near dressers and what you can do to avoid them getting in there.
Can Bed Bugs Live in Dressers?
Do bed bugs live in dressers? Absolutely, yes. Though mattresses are most frequently used place for them, dressers offer dark, closed areas that are ideal for bed bugs. Pests can infill small cracks, crevices, and joints in wooden furniture. This is why dressers near sleeping points may create a convenient place to hide and keep their food source within reach, which are human beings.
If you move clothing in and out frequently, they may even transmit more quickly, sticking to material and discovering additional areas to harbor. Understanding how to check bed bugs in such locations can help you get rid of them early.
How Long Do Bed Bugs Survive in Dressers
When asking do bed bugs live on dressers, it is also crucial to know how long they can live there. Bed bugs are masters at living without food. Without feeding on blood, they can live for months in dressers. In fact, bugs in empty houses can survive for months hoping to feed again.
Just because you haven’t looked at them recently doesn’t mean they’re nowhere to be found. If a dresser is uncleaned or not frequently vacuumed, it is the perfect location for them to hide and live for longer than you think.
Do Washing Clothes Eliminate Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs do not tolerate heat. Using heat for bed bugs on your clothes or applying dry cycle kills them effectively. Though washing may not eliminate the problem completely, it’s a starting point.
The moment you find bed bugs on clothes, wash and dry all your clothes. But bear in mind that if the furniture remains infested, your newly cleaned clothes can become infested with bed bugs once again.
Do I Have to Throw My Clothes with Bed Bugs in It?
No, you don’t have to dispose of your clothes if adult and baby bed bugs have infested them. Rather, wash them in a high-heat wash and dry cycle. Repeating this more than once is usually better to ensure the bugs are eliminated.
Even garments without apparent bugs need to be washed if they were stored close to an infested room. Timing is everything. Washing your clothes while your home or furniture remains infested will not do much.
5 Surprising Places Where Bed Bugs Hide
1. Picture Frames
Bed bugs like dark and quiet places during the day, and wall-mounted items like picture frames are often their go-to. When they crawl up the wall to find a hiding spot, frames offer the perfect cover, especially if there are small spaces behind them.
2. Alarm Clocks
Alarm clocks near your bed are close enough for bed bugs to hide during the day and feed at night. When beds are treated for bugs, they often escape to nearby clocks as a temporary hiding place.
3. Electrical Outlets
In bigger infestations, bugs can travel to unlikely areas, including electrical outlets. These small gaps offer safety and warmth while still being close to their feeding area.
4. Stuffed Animals
Kids’ soft toys and blankets are cozy spots for bugs. These fabric items provide warmth and cover, making them easy targets for bed bug hiding.
5. Purses
Adult and baby bed bugs are known for hiding in items we carry. Purses placed on infested furniture or the floor can easily become a transport for these pests to move into new areas.
Tips to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in Dressers
1. Heat Treatment
Using heat is one of the most effective ways to kill bed bugs. High temperatures in a dryer can help kill bugs in clothing or smaller fabric items. For dressers, professional heat treatment might be needed, as DIY options often don’t reach deep cracks. Before choosing any treatment, it’s important to learn how to check for bed bugs in furniture so you know where to target.
2. Cold Treatment
If you can freeze items at 0°F, this can also work. Keep items sealed in bags for at least three days. However, most home freezers don’t reach the required cold level, so check the temperature with a thermometer.
3. Steam Cleaning
Steam is helpful for reaching into cracks and gaps in furniture. You’ll need a steam cleaner that reaches at least 130°F. Use a diffuser to avoid blowing the bugs around, which could make the problem worse.
4. Pest Control Products
Use EPA-approved products that clearly say they work on bed bugs. Be careful with foggers or sprays, as they might not reach every hidden bug. They can also be dangerous if not used correctly.
5. Desiccants
These dry out the bugs over time. It’s a slower process but can work well, especially when combined with other treatments. Just make sure the product is marked safe by the EPA.
6. Bed Bug Interceptors
These traps go under furniture legs and catch bugs trying to climb. They won’t fix an infestation alone, but they help you monitor and reduce the bug count over time. If you’re asking do bed bugs live in dressers, interceptors can at least stop them from spreading elsewhere.
Conclusion
So, do bed bugs live in dressers? Yes, they can and often do. Their ability to hide in tiny spaces makes wooden furniture a prime spot for infestations. This is why acting fast can help you stop the spread before it becomes harder to manage.
FAQs
Can bed bugs hide in wooden furniture?
Yes, they can hide in cracks and gaps of wooden items like dressers and nightstands.
How can I tell if bed bugs are in my dresser?
Look for signs like dark spots, eggs, or actual bugs in drawer joints, corners, and under handles.
Is it enough to wash clothes to kill bed bugs?
Washing in hot water and drying on high heat helps, but it should be part of a larger treatment plan.
Are Bed Bugs Bothering You?
If yes, call us now! We are the expert pest control, ready to help you get rid of any pest infestation with impressive results.