Are you a lazy person who doesn’t often clean beds or places that your hands don’t reach? If yes, then your home is likely to be full of bed bugs. But, can bed bugs live in wood? Bed bugs love to hide in nooks and corners. So if you have a bed with rough edges, or a broken headstand then yes your furniture is also the home of these bugs.
These bugs survive up to more than four months or more. And they lay eggs very fast. For killing these tiny pests you can spray insecticide that has alcohol content. Or you can also hand wipe all your furniture with a cloth sprayed with vinegar.
If you have a beautiful wooden picture frame handed down generations, you would want to protect it. But can bed bugs live in wood?
So Can Bed Bugs Live In Wood?
Yes, so your picture frame is susceptible to bed bugs, including other pests.
Why Do Bed Bugs Like To Live In Wood?
Since bed bugs love dark and warm places, wood offers the perfect abode for them.
The dark color of the wood also serves as an attraction to bed bugs as it is similar to their skin tone and is warm.
Additionally, the cracks that develop in wood due to regular wear and tear often offer the perfect hiding spots for these mysterious creatures to rest and lay their eggs.
How To Look For Bed Bugs Among Your Wooden Furniture?
Listed below are a few telltale signs that suggest a bed bug infestation in the wood:
- The bugs themselves are enough of an indication. If you see a bed bug crawling into your wooden dresser, know that you have a problem at hand.
- The tiny white eggs of bed bugs are another pointer in their direction.
- Shed exoskeletons of bed bugs mean that baby bugs (nymphs) are maturing into mature bed bugs.
- Black stains all over the furniture are the excrement of bed bugs and mean that the bed bugs are alive and kicking.
- A musty smell about the furniture is another red flag.
- Peeled paint from the furniture indicates that bed bugs might have burrowed into it.
How Long Can Bed Bugs Live In Wood?
How long can these bugs exist in the woods?
There is no saying how long bed bugs can survive in wood. If the wood is close enough to a host (like the bed’s headboard, intricate patterns on the corners of the bed, etc.), they might survive for as long as they are exterminated.
How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs That Have Entered Wood?
You might want to follow the pointers listed below if you are looking to free your furniture of bed bugs:
- Dehydrating substances
They are also known as desiccants. Diatomaceous Earth is an example of such a substance. It works by dehydrating the bed bugs.
- Other insecticides
There are plenty of insecticides available in the market that can be used on bed bugs. They may be in powder or solution form.
- Steam Treatment
Steamers are available in the market. They can reach up to 160 F. This temperature is sufficient to exterminate bugs and their eggs. Ensure that you wipe down the furniture with a dry cloth after the treatment, as moisture is not good for wood.
Can Bed Bugs Bite through clothes?
- Do a deep cleaning of the wood and surrounding area.
Wipe down the furniture and the area surrounding it. Use a bit of scented oil if possible to get out any remaining bugs. Try to de-clutter the room where the bugs have been found.
- Call an exterminator
If you have repeatedly tried a few home remedies and nothing seems to be working, it is probably time to call in the professionals. Though this might cause you a bit of expense, it will solve the problem once and for all.
Is Using Alcohol or Vinegar Solutions A Good Idea?
Though rubbing alcohol and vinegar are pretty effective at handling bed bugs (if it is a minor infestation), they might react differently with wood and damage it further.
How To Prevent Bed Bugs From Attacking Wood?
If you have ever dealt with bed bugs, you know that it is impossible to prevent the menace. However, following these few points can keep you protected to some extent:
- Stop visiting or picking up furniture from yard sales, off the curbs of roads, and garage sales.
- If you do like a piece of second-hand furniture, inspect it thoroughly before you decide on purchasing it.
- Avoid purchasing furniture online as it may be another source of bed bugs.
- Avoid having furniture delivered to your home and pick it up yourself as this will give you a better chance to inspect it.
- Be cautious when traveling and make sure you do not bring the pests home yourself.
- Deep clean and fumigate your living areas every month if you have a repeated bed bug infestation problem.
Closing Thoughts
Wood is not something bed bugs gnaw through in quest of a cozy hiding place. They rely on crevices, corners, and other tiny areas instead. For this reason, choosing pieces with firm, flat surfaces when purchasing new furniture—especially used furniture—can be useful. It will be more challenging to detect bed bugs on items that are damaged or have fine detailing.
You can search for bed bugs more effectively if you know how to recognize them. There are several insects that resemble bed bugs, so you should be cautious of them. Make a thorough check before purchasing any furniture, or if you have any existing furniture and are worried about bed bugs. Hope you enjoyed reading this article on can bed bugs live in wood furniture.
You can also check –
- Are Bed Bugs Contagious?
- Can Bed Bugs Live in Carpet?
- How to Kill Bed Bugs?
- Check Bed Bug Relief Creams
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- Bed Bug Relief Spray
