Bed bugs are selective with the places where they lay their eggs. They do not lay bed bug eggs just anywhere. There are certain locations that they prefer, and these locations are where they will continue living, breeding, digesting their food, and laying their eggs. These locations are called harborages.
Do bed bugs hide where they lay eggs? Bed bugs are careful when choosing their harborages. They will choose harborages that are safe for reproducing and near their food source.
This way, each bed bug can conveniently complete its life cycle and continue breeding new generations. Thus, continuously spreading the infestation.
They often go for places that offer darkness, safety, and close access to their food source. A female bed bug can lay eggs on cracks and crevices on the baseboards, floorboards, or even in the wall. Though tiny, they can still be spotted as they are about 1/10 of an inch in length, pearly white, and are often in clusters.
Where Do Bed Bugs Lay Eggs? Where Should You Check for Bed Bug Eggs
Bed bug eggs are typically found in cracks and crevices near a bed or other locations where the bugs are known to feed, such as in the seams of a mattress or in the joints of a bed frame. They can also be found in other areas where the bugs may hide, such as in the folds of curtains or behind baseboards.
You will not easily find bed bugs eggs anywhere. So, where do bed bugs lay eggs? Where are their favorite spots? Check out their common harborages below.
Mattresses
One of their favorite homes is the mattress. You see, for them to get a blood meal, they need to be near you.
Since their main source of living is through feeding on humans, they will most likely stay in a place where they can feed easily and lay eggs, which is on your mattress. It provides them with the best access to their meal, which is you, while you are sleeping. They could do this every night if they want to.
Second to your mattresses are your box springs. If you are planning to kill bed bugs and are identifying the places where they hide, you must check the underside of your mattress. Since it is seldom disturbed,
You should also find bed bugs in your bed frames. You may change your bedding regularly, but you will rarely move the bed frame. Since it is undisturbed, these critters will most likely hide in there and seek harborage in the crevices.
To prevent newly hatched bed bugs from reaching you through your mattress, we recommend the use of bed bug mattress encasements. These will protect you from getting bitten while you are sleeping.
Furniture
When it comes to potential harborages, furniture offers many cracks where adult bed bugs can hide and lay eggs. Wood joints, internal sections and drawers, and the area around the legs and feet of the furniture are some of the good hiding spots to find bed bug eggs in your home.
Furniture pieces like wardrobes, cupboards, and bedside tables are most likely secondary harborages since you do not move them. They can continue their bed bug life without getting disturbed, which is good for them. So, you better check these as well.
Clothing
Clothes are also great places to have eggs laid on for these critters simply because of where you store them. Bed bugs are in love with wardrobes, cupboards, as mentioned above any other furniture. If nearby furniture is bedbug-infested, it is also possible that they already accessed your wardrobe and your clothes.
Carpets
Given that these pests love staying in undisturbed areas, you might think that carpets are less likely chosen as a harborage. On contrary, they can still be chosen as their harborage for bed bug eggs but are rare since it is an open area.
Though you might mistake these critters as carpet beetles, there are circumstances when bed bugs would choose to hide in your carpet and even lay bed bug eggs. So, you shouldn’t be surprised if there are bed bug eggs found in your carpet. Some of these circumstances include:
· Your room has been untidy and cluttered for a long time and you have a lot of things on the carpet where they can hide.
· A part or side of the carpet is lifted that allows them to go underneath or a hole where they can get through.
· When there is a gap between the baseboard and the carpet that will give them enough space to hide.
Most of the time, the sunlight will be enough to keep them from laying bed bug eggs on the carpet. Also, the constant movement will prevent them from staying long in it. Also, the constant movement will prevent them from staying long in it.
Heat treatment is highly recommended when it comes to treating surfaces of furniture, clothing, and carpets. To avoid damage and sanitize such surfaces, we recommend the use of bed bug steam cleaners.
Wall Outlets and Accessories
Bed bugs can fit in the smallest possible cracks like wall outlets and accessories. This means bed bug eggs can also be found in the smallest areas. Bed bug eggs tend to be found in the smallest and dim areas to not get disturbed until they hatch. Even pest managers would check curtains, wall frames, and loose wallpapers as these are common hiding places of these pests.
If these places allow them to be near you and feed off you, they will settle in these places and breed. So, you better check these places as well.
How Do You Find a Bed Bug Nest?
To find a bed bug nest, you can start by looking for signs of bed bugs in your bed and surrounding areas. Check the seams, tufts, and folds of your mattress and box spring for small reddish-brown bugs or tiny white eggs. Also, inspect the bed frame, headboard, and nearby furniture for bed bugs or fecal spots.
You can also use a flashlight to search for bed bugs in cracks and crevices, such as baseboards, electrical outlets, and picture frames. Bed bugs are nocturnal and tend to hide during the day, so it may be helpful to search for them at night when they are more active.
If you are unable to find the bed bug nest, it may be helpful to hire a professional pest control expert who has the experience and tools to locate and eliminate bed bug infestations.
How to Identify Bed Bug Eggs
Bed bug eggs are about the size of a pinhead and are a whitish-yellow color
They are often found in clusters and can be found in cracks and crevices, including in the seams of mattresses and furniture
They are not easily visible to the naked eye and may require a magnifying glass or flashlight to spot
The eggs hatch with a sticky substance and will adhere to the fabric surfaces they are laid on, which can make them difficult to remove
They are found in areas where adults have been feeding to get human blood and resting such as beds, couches, and other furniture.
How Often Do Female Bed Bugs Lay Eggs
Female bed bugs can lay one to five eggs per day and can lay up to 500 eggs in their lifetime. The eggs are small, about the size of a pinhead, and are white or translucent. They are usually laid in groups, and take about 10 days to hatch.
What Can be Mistaken as Bed Bug Eggs?
Several things can be mistaken as bed bug eggs, including:
Carpet beetle eggs: These eggs are small, white or pearl white, and oval-shaped and are often found in carpets, rugs, and furniture.
Spider eggs: Some spiders lay their eggs in clusters that can resemble bed bug eggs. These eggs are typically found in webs and are usually white or cream-colored.
Dust or debris: Small particles of dust or debris can be mistaken for bed bug eggs if they are found in clusters.
Mold spores: Tiny, round and white mold spores can be mistaken as bed bug eggs. These are often found in damp environments.
Remember that proper identification is crucial for effective treatment, so if you suspect you have bed bugs, you should act immediately and prevent the bed bug infestation from getting worse.
How to Kill Bed Bug Eggs
There are several methods to kill bed bug eggs and remove bed bugs permanently:
Heat treatment
This method uses high temperatures to kill bed bugs and their eggs. The heat penetrates into cracks and crevices where bed bugs and their eggs may be hiding.
Steam treatment
Steam can be used to kill bed bugs and their eggs by applying high-pressure, high-temperature steam to infested areas.
Chemical treatment
Pesticides, such as pyrethroid or neonicotinoids, can kill bed bugs and their eggs. It’s important to note that these chemicals can be harmful to humans and pets and should only be used by professionals.
Vacuuming
Regular vacuuming can be an effective way to remove bed bugs and their eggs from carpets, furniture, and other surfaces. It is important to dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag properly after use.
Encasement
Encasing mattresses and box springs in special bed bug-proof covers can prevent bed bugs from laying eggs and also can trap adult bed bugs inside, which will lead to death.
Keep in mind that a treatment plan with the combination of these methods may be more effective in eliminating a bed bug infestation. If you suspect you have bed bugs and have seen bed bug eggs, it’s best to contact a professional pest control service for further inspection and treatment.
How to Stop Bed Bugs from Spreading and Reproducing
To stop bed bugs from spreading and reproducing, you should:
Vacuum your entire home, including furniture, bedding, and carpets.
Use a steam cleaner on your furniture and bedding.
Use a bed bug spray or powder on your mattress, box spring, and bed frame.
Seal any cracks or crevices in your walls or floors.
Encase your mattress and box spring in a bed bug-proof cover.
Launder all bedding and clothing in hot water and dry on high heat.
Consider hiring a professional pest control company to inspect and treat your home.
Be careful when traveling and inspecting hotel rooms for bed bugs before settling in.
Make sure to take the necessary steps to prevent bed bugs from entering your home in the first place. This will also save you from looking for areas where bed bugs lay eggs and avoid dealing with a bed bug infestation.
