In Singapore, Wood furniture is one of bed bugs’ favourite hiding places. It provides them with a safe shelter for hiding and breeding. Bed bugs can survive in cracks and crevices for 20 to 400 days without even feeding. Besides, bed bugs mostly enter the house through second-hand furniture.
Knowing how to check wood furniture for bed bugs is important to avoid infestations. Start with gathering all the necessary tools. A flashlight, magnifying glass, and a thin card are good enough to check.
Inspect common hiding spots such as joints, seams, holes, and slots for signs of bed bugs. Once you find any, consult a professional to eradicate the bugs once and for all. Learn how to check bed bugs in the following steps.
Steps to check wood furniture for bed bugs
Step 1. Gather Inspection Tools
Collect the following before inspecting.
- A bright Flashlight
- Magnifying glass
- Credit card or thin card
2. Inspect Common Hiding Spots
There is a pattern for bed bugs to hide. They always hide in tight spaces. Identify such spots to find the bugs.
- Use your flashlight at night since bed bugs love to move at night.
- Use magnifying glasses, as they are 1- 7 mm in size, making them difficult to see with the naked eye.
- Inspect common spaces. Examine all joints, seams, and cracks where pieces of wood meet.
- Check around screws and nails where bugs may hide.
- Flip your furniture and examine the bottom and back areas, especially if they’re unfinished. Open the drawer and inspect the runners, slots, dressers, and inside corners.
3. Look for Signs of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs move fast. So chances are low that you will find live bed bugs while searching. But you can search for signs to determine the presence of them. Common signs include:
- Live Bugs: if you are lucky enough, you can see live bed bugs. They are small, flat, reddish-brown insects and about the size of an apple seed. They also look more elongated when fed recently. Immature bed bugs are whitish-yellow.
- Eggs and Shells: Bed bug eggs are about 1mm, white or translucent, and oval-shaped and these eggs are often glued to surfaces.
- Shed skins: Bed bugs shed their skins when they grow. You will find pale yellow, hollow shells that resemble the bugs themselves. Look for such signs.
- Fecal Stains: Small, dark brown or black spots. These are digested blood. This sign indicates a clear infestation.
- Musty Odor: You may experience a strong, unpleasant smell for a large infestation.
4. Use a Credit Card for Tight Spaces
Light and magnifying glasses are not enough to find the bugs in tight spaces. You need to run a credit card or thin card along seams, cracks, and joints. You can dislodge them or see their presence if bed bugs are present.
5. Inspect Surrounding Areas
Inspecting the surrounding areas is a good option to find the infestation. Examine nearby mattresses, baseboards, sheets, couches, and carpets since bed bugs often travel between furniture and nearby surfaces.
6. Consider Professional Help
Finally, if you find evidence of bed bugs or remain unsure, seek professional help. They have the tools and expertise to detect and treat infestations effectively.
Termite Specialist PTE LTD offers effective bed bug solutions in Singapore so that you can get assurance it is removed within the shortest possible time. You can call us at +6569103776 or visit our office. Get direction.
