Effective Strategies for Locating
Bed Bugs in Your Home

LOCATING BED BUGS

ARE BED BUGS LURKING WHERE YOU LIVE, WORK OR PLAY?

Bed bugs are experts at hiding, extremely successful hitchhikers that can survive up to a year without feeding. Bed bugs can be found almost anywhere, from homes to hotels, hospitals to care facilities, theaters to offices, rental furniture businesses, schools, public transportation and more. With the recent resurgence of the bed bug population, it’s important now more than ever to be able to distinguish fact from fiction on where they live, thrive and nest:

• Can be found in any area where people rest for extended periods
• Are capable of moving quickly from an infested area to bedding, baggage, boxes and clothing
• Are only about the width of a credit card, so if a crack or space will hold a credit card, it could hide a bed bug
• Can be found within:
  • Bedding (including sheets, comforters, dust ruffles and pillow cases)
  • Box spring and mattress piping, seams and tags
  • Headboards, bed frames and fixtures nearby, such as picture frames or mounted lights
  • Carpet edges, floorboards, wall cracks and electrical outlets
  • Folds of curtains and blinds
  • Seams and cushions of chairs and couches
  • Drawer joints, electrical receptacles and appliances
  • Loose wallpaper and wall hangings

To help minimize a potential infestation, your family at ScherZinger offers these tips to keep in mind:

• Check secondhand or used furniture for signs of infestation, or avoid altogether
• Reduce clutter in your home to eliminate hiding places
• A protective cover encasing your mattress and box springs also reduces hiding spots
• When traveling:
  • In hotels, use luggage racks for all your belongings rather than using dressers or setting your luggage on the floor or bed
  • Check the mattress and headboard
  • Upon return, launder all your belongings and inspect your luggage carefully