Whether you purchased an expensive new sofa from a designer store or scored a bargain at the thrift shop, it’s essential to inspect it for bed bugs. These insects can be extremely difficult to get rid of without the help of a professional.
Inspect a sofa frame and cushion for signs of a bed bug infestation. Using a flashlight to help see, remove the slipcovers and take apart each cushion. Check inside the zippers, seams, tufts, corners and other tight areas. Look for specks of blood or shed bed bug exoskeletons.
Shed bed bug exoskeletons are translucent, and they’re easier to spot than live bed bugs or their eggs. As these insects go through 5 lifecycle stages to reach adulthood, they’ll shed their outer shells several times. Look for these shells in nooks and crannies, mattress seams and upholstered furniture as well as holes, cracks, and crevices on wooden furniture.
Look for a reddish brown color and an oval shape in the body of an adult bed bug. Look also for recently hatched nymphs, which are smaller and more pale. Lastly, keep an eye out for tiny, blackish specks that may be bed bug excrement.
If you find any of these signs, consider calling in a pest control specialist right away. They can provide treatment to eliminate the infestation and prevent it from spreading to other parts of your home. It’s also a good idea to wash any fabric items you’ve found in hot water and high heat, as the extreme temperatures will kill off the bed bugs and their eggs.