Bed bugs are masters of concealment, instinctively seeking out tight, dark crevices that keep them within a few feet of their sleeping host. Their preferred hiding spots are almost always dictated by proximity to where a person rests.

 

The Bed Structure: The Prime Target

 

The immediate vicinity of the bed is where the highest concentration of bed bugs is found:

• Mattress and Box Spring: They cluster densely along the seams, tufts, and piping of the mattress. They also hide inside the corner protectors and beneath the dust cover (the fabric stapled to the box spring's bottom) and within the wooden frame of the box spring itself.

• Bed Frame and Headboard: Any joint, screw hole, or crevice in the bed frame (whether wood or metal) serves as a perfect harbor. They also congregate behind or inside the headboard, particularly where it meets the wall or the frame.

 

Immediate Surroundings: Close Quarters

 

Infestations spread to items within 5 to 10 feet of the bed:

• Furniture: Cracks and seams of upholstered chairs and sofas are common harborages, as are the joints, drawers, and undersides of nightstands and dressers.

• Structural Elements: They squeeze behind loose baseboards and trim, under torn wallpaper, and often hide behind loose electrical faceplates and outlet covers on the walls near the bed. Cracks in the plaster, wood, or under the edges of carpeting or rugs also provide sanctuary.

 

Clutter and Items Near the Host

 

Any object that offers a tiny crack for refuge and is near the host is vulnerable:

• They can hide inside clocks, radios, or telephones kept on the nightstand.

• They find refuge behind pictures, posters, or mirrors hanging near the bed.

• The folds and seams of curtains or drapes offer another vertical hiding spot.