The simplicity that bed bugs wood floors add to a home or structure makes them somewhat recommendable. However, these floors eventually become hiding and breeding spots for bed bugs.
Pest control experts will usually warn against this type of floor, especially in areas that are very susceptible to bed bug infestations.
Can bed bugs live in wood floors? How can they be prevented? Let us now find out these answers in the article outlined below.
Can Bed Bugs Live In Wood?
Before answering the question: do bed bugs live in wood floors? It will be smart to know if these bugs even live in wood in the first place.
It is an established fact that some bugs love to infest wood, as it is even part of their food source. But as we proceed, we will come to discover that bed bugs are in fact not part of these bugs.
Examples of these bugs are termites. Termites are known to live in wood and even feed off it as it is one of their primary diet sources, but not bed bugs.
Yes, bed bugs can live in wood, but not to infest it or feed off of it, as their primary source of food is blood from their hosts.
Like earlier stated in our previous articles, bed bugs are nocturnal insects, meaning that they are most active at night and will go into hiding during the day. So, you will not expect that bed bugs will hide in flat wood surfaces where they can easily be spotted.
Although bed bugs live in wood, they’d prefer to live in certain parts of the wood, such as:
- Cracks and crevices
- Gaps
- Any possible space in the wood
People tend to believe that bed bugs prefer to live in wood, but that is not the case, as bed bugs will live in plastic as well as metal structures as long as there are possible hiding spaces and availability of human hosts within the space.
Read also: Bed Bug Addendum: What Does This Document Entail
Do Bed Bugs Live In Wood Floors?
Do bed bugs live in wood floors? Sadly, the answer to this question is yes. Using wood floors in your structure is the wrongest thing you can do, especially if you live in an area that is susceptible to bed bug infestation.
The problem is not that bed bugs will infest the wood, but that the wood provides the bed bugs with possible hiding spots, hence, supporting them in their infestations and making them very comfortable doing it.
If you have a wood floor in your home or structure that is infested by bed bugs, then treatment becomes nearly impossible. In one of our previous articles, where we discussed the bed bug temperature chart, we explained that the room must reach a certain temperature to actually affect the bed bug.
Now, it is also important to note that bed bugs must be exposed to directly heated temperatures for them to actually die. A wood floor makes this somewhat impossible, as some cracks are just too deep for the heat to reach.
Applying DIY methods to get rid of bed bugs from a wood-floored structure is somewhat difficult and will require the services of a pest control expert.
Do Bed Bugs Like Wood?
We have earlier referred to this question that bed bugs have no affinity for wood like termites do but they will only be found on this surface due to the possible hiding spots it provides them.
Bed bugs prefer wood furniture that includes:
- Bed frames
- Chairs
- Mattress
These are possible places where humans usually go to rest so there is a very high probability of having bed bugs in these places.
In one of our previous articles where we discussed bed bugs in new furniture, you will discover that we highlighted safety measures to be taken to ensure that you do not fall victim to these bugs from purchased furniture.
@ Amazon, you are guaranteed bed bug-free furniture. Do well to check in with them for your furniture purchases.
How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs Wood Floors
Inspection is very important in getting rid of pests, as it keeps you informed on the type of pest you are dealing with as well as the possible hiding spots of these pests.
If after a thorough inspection, there is evidence of a bed bug infestation in your wood floor, then the right thing to do is to contact pest control experts, as getting rid of these bugs by yourself is not advisable.
Like we mentioned earlier, bed bugs wood floors give them very safe hiding spots that will prevent them from being spotted easily as well as keep them distant from DIY chemicals.
Getting rid of them is even difficult for pest control experts, so trying to get rid of them yourself will be nearly impossible.
Read also: Bed Bug Spiritual Meaning: Top 4 Most Common Meanings Explained
How To Prevent Bed Bugs Wood Floors
To prevent bed bugs wood floors, certain steps and procedures must be carried out frequently:
- Seal cracks and crevices:
Sealing cracks, crevices, and possible gaps will ensure that the bed bugs do not have hiding spots. This will make infestations risky and, hence, make them uncomfortable in your home. With hiding spots gone, pest control treatments (chemicals, heat, etc.) will easily get to the bed bugs.
- Vacuum regularly:
Vacuuming regularly is one of the surest methods of preventing bed bugs from being comfortable in your space (structure). When you vacuum underneath your furniture and the wood floors, there is a high possibility of sucking in a bed bug during the process; hence, an infestation has been prevented unknowingly.
- Repair damp places:
If you have a wood floor, there is a high probability of having several damp places on these floors. It is therefore advisable to regularly check for these spots and have them fixed, as it will prevent bedbugs from accessing these places.
Read also: Bed Bug Bites Hawaii: Symptom, Treatment & Prevention
Conclusion
Wood floors are great as they tend to add specific beauty to the appearance of your home or structures. Their brownish, sometimes grayish colors tend to give a simple yet admirable appearance to your home.
As beautiful as these bed bugs wood floors sound they put your home at higher risk of bed bug invasion as they provide them with various hiding spots, hence, making controlling them difficult.
Do you have a wood floor in your home? How do you get rid of bed bugs? Let us know in the comments section below!
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