Bugs Under the Bed
When it comes to encountering pests in the bedroom, bed bugs may be the most notorious. However, when it comes to bugs under your bed and in your carpet, other pests may be lying in wait.
These pesky invaders include Fleas, Odorous House Ants, American Cockroaches and House Spiders.
Under the Bed Pest Identification
Proper identification of any pests you may find under your bed can be helpful in determining the type of infestation you are up against. However, when in doubt, it’s always a good idea to contact a licensed pest control professional for guidance.
Bed Bugs
Although bed bugs are often associated with the bed itself, bed bugs can also be found underneath your bed and within the bed frame. Here are some physical characteristics to help you identify bed bugs:
- Oval shape about 3/16 of an inch in length
- Prior to feeding, they are brown and flat
- After feeding, they become redder in color, swollen and elongated
- 6 legs and 2 antennae
- Wingless—bed bugs cannot fly
Fleas
Even though fleas commonly feed on pets like cats and dogs, they won’t pass up the opportunity to sneak under the bed to feed on humans as well. There are a few species of fleas, but their physical attributes are similar enough to identify a pest as a flea:
- 1/12 to 1/6 of an inch in length
- Dark red or brown in color
- Flat shape
- 6 legs and 2 antennae
- Wingless, but has strong legs that allow them to jump long distances
- Equipped with backwards bristles to move through fur, hair and feathers
Odorous House Ants
If any crumbs, spills or food wrappers accumulate under your bed, you run the risk of attracting ants. While there are several species of ants that can be found in the home, odorous house ants are especially attracted to sweeter foods that might be the leftovers of a midnight snack. These ants are tiny, but you may still be able to identify them with the naked eye:
- 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch long
- Brown or black in color
- 6 legs and 2 antennae
- Segmented body
- Oval-shaped
- Gives off a strong, rotten coconut-like smell if crushed
American Cockroaches
Similar to ants, American cockroaches could also be found under the bed. Cockroaches like to live in dimly lit areas, which makes under the bed an ideal spot for these unsightly pests. Here are some ways to tell if a pest you see could be an American cockroach:
- Adult American cockroaches average between 1 2/5 to 1 3/5 inches in length, but can exceed 2 inches
- Reddish-brown in color with a yellow band that outlines the area behind their head
- Both males and females have wings and can fly short distances
House Spiders
If the space underneath your bed is full of clutter, house spiders may be tempted to build webs in this conveniently hidden area of your bedroom. House spiders are the species of spider that is most commonly encountered indoors:
- Adult female house spiders have an almost spherical abdomen and are roughly 3/16 to 5/16 inches in length
- Adult male house spiders have elongated abdomens and are only about 1/8 to 3/16 inches in length
- Both females and males tend to be yellowish-brown in color with a dirty white abdomen
- 8 eyes with 2 lateral pairs almost touching
- Last tarsal segment of the fourth pair of legs has a row of serrated bristles
MORE FROM THE NATIONAL PEST MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
What are the Infestation Signs of Small Bugs Under your Bed?
With all of the pests mentioned above, one of the most obvious signs of an infestation is simply seeing the pest. If you spot a bed bug, flea, ant, cockroach, spider or spider web, you have your first clue of a potential pest infestation. Keep in mind it may sometimes be difficult to see tiny bugs under your bed if they are hiding in the carpet.
Bed bugs and fleas often make their presence known through bites you may find on your skin. Bed bug bites are small and itchy and often appear in a line, while flea bites can cause itching and tiny red bumps on the skin.
You may also find droppings from cockroaches or bed bugs under your bed. These can be small and are often difficult to identify. If you find something that could be droppings from a pest, it’s best to call in a pest management professional to confirm.
Where Do Under the Bed Pests Come From?
Bedrooms can be ideal living environments for pests: there are plenty of spaces to hide and, depending on the pest, a human or two to feast on could be the cherry on top.
In most pest infestations, pests tend to enter homes through any small cracks, crevices or holes in the walls or through gaps in window or door screens.
How to Keep Bugs From Hiding Under the Bed
There are some simple preventative measures you can take to discourage pests from residing under your bed:
- Practice active flea management with your pets by bathing them regularly, keeping them on a leash, using flea treatments and conducting routine flea checks after spending time outdoors
- Practice good sanitation by eliminating clutter and trash under the bed, washing and drying bed linens on hot cycles, closely inspecting any second-hand furniture before moving it into your home and regularly inspecting areas where pets sleep
When it comes to preventing a bed bug infestation, there are simple ways to avoid bringing bed bugs home with you while traveling:
- When traveling, thoroughly inspect the entire room for signs of bed bugs before unpacking
- Upon return to your home, vacuum and steam your luggage as well as wash and dry all of your clothing on a hot cycle
Find a Pest Control Professional for Bugs Under the Bed
Wondering how to get rid of bedroom insects? If you suspect a bed bug infestation or find that other pests made their way into the bedroom, call a licensed pest control professional.
A qualified professional will conduct a bedroom inspection to identify the source of the problem and recommend a proper course of treatment.
