Wondering: Can bed bugs live in the carpet? You have your answers here, as we have mentioned what could make them live there and how to get them out of your carpets—that is if they even live there.
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Notoriety for spreading infestations throughout a variety of surfaces, including carpets, has turned bed bugs into infamous pests.
Although they are frequently linked to beds and upholstered furniture, bed bugs can also hide in carpet fibres, which makes it difficult to find and get rid of them.
Bed bugs are primarily known to infest beds and mattresses. Bed bugs are mostly seen in beds, but being travellers, they tend to infest other things around the house.
Bed bug infestations in your carpet likely mean that you already have them in your mattress and clothes.
Bed bugs live in the carpet because they usually travel around your house on this carpet before attaching themselves to another bed or piece of clothing.
Bed bugs preferably live on your carpet when you do not have a bed in a particular room. As much as you throw an infested bed away, bear in mind that you could have some of them on your carpet.
There are a lot of spaces in your bed or mattress where these tiny creatures can hide and lay their eggs. This gives room for thousands of bed bugs to easily multiply, making your bed a perfect abode for these creatures.
As bed bugs multiply, they begin to search for a more viable place to lay their eggs. To get to the other parts of the house, these bugs travel either using the walls or floor, where your carpet is. Bed bugs may decide to live on or under your carpet, depending on the size of your house.
Note: Bed bugs will first infest your bed before they move on to the next item. So having bed bugs in your carpet means you have bed bugs in your bed.
There is this belief that bed bugs are nocturnal (night) creatures, but this isn’t true. Hunger has been the sole motivation of all these creatures; they feed whenever they feel hungry, even if their host is awake. You can feel them on your skin.
Another fallacy about bed bugs is that they always live in your bed; that is not the case. Bed bugs are more comfortable in your bed, and when they are not, they live wherever they like or find comfortable.
That is why bed bugs can infest anywhere at all, even an office. Yes, an office. This just shows that bed bugs can adapt to any condition, though not a hot one. Some living conditions enable these creatures to thrive on your carpet.
The first is when your carpet doesn’t scale from wall to wall. If your carpet is at the centre of your room and not bound to any wall, then these creatures have an access point to your carpet.
Not that having your carpet scale from wall to wall will keep them away, but it will be easier if your carpet isn’t close to any wall.
Know that bed bugs are very tiny with flat bodies, they can fit into any space. It is a general rule that if the thickness of a credit card can fit in, so can a good number of bed bugs.
Holes and tears are the access points for these bugs to hide and lay eggs as they want. So a worn-out carpet is not advisable.
Well, it is quite difficult to get rid of a bug infestation under the carpet. That said, you cannot get rid of bugs on your own unless you know how to apply the heat treatment.
Can Bed Bugs Live in a Carpet Cleaner?
Yes, there is a high possibility of that happening. You have been advised to use a carpet cleaner when you have bed bugs on your carpet.
This is a great method and will work, but it will be short-lived if you do not empty your carpet cleaner. If the reverse is the case, bed bugs will be gone forever from your home.
This is why it is important to empty your carpet. Evacuation alone is not ideal. These bugs are not in any way hurt, but rather reside in this carpet cleaner and use it as their new hideout. They come out of their hideout to feed on blood when hungry.
Bed bugs can thrive in a carpet cleaner once they can feed. Not for so long anyway. They need to have effortless access to their host, which is why they return to your bed even after you evacuate and empty your cleaner.
It is important to note that bed bugs can live without food for a year. So when leasing a carpet cleaner, you should bear in mind that bed bugs could already be living in them.
Bed bug eggs can live in a carpet once the surface is coarse because bed bug eggs cannot glue to plastic, metal, or glass.
A coarse surface is almost perfect for the bed bugs to live on. Bed bugs also secrete a sticky substance that helps to firmly hold the eggs.
Your mattress, clothes, and carpets are perfect places for bugs to lay their eggs, as they are comfortable on wood or fabric. But then, they can lay their eggs just anywhere.
As earlier stated, the presence of bed bugs in your carpet means an infestation in your bed. So, the primary reason why you have bed bugs in your carpet is that you already have them in your bed; they just moved to another location.
That said, bed bugs in your carpet may occur in your attempt to get rid of the infested bed or mattress. Yanking your mattress along the floor can cause a good number of bed bugs to move onto your carpet and stay there while your bed is outside.
These transferred bed bugs, though small in number, are still dangerous. Getting rid of a larger number of these bugs, like 90%, and leaving behind 10% in the carpet is as good as doing nothing because they can still mate and lay eggs, thereby causing another infestation.
Infestation can also happen from the careless throwing of clothes, which have the possibility of being infested. Generally, bugs get into your carpet as a result of your carelessness in handling the infestation.
How to Prevent and Get Rid of Bed Bugs in the Carpet
There is a saying, prevention is better than cure. Prevention is less stressful, cheaper, and less messy than treatment. Preventing bed bugs from entering your carpet is quite easy, depending on your approach.
First, with the knowledge of bed bug infestations in carpets, we should dive into how to get rid of them.
In this essay, we will let you know how to prevent and get rid of bed bugs in your carpets. Some of the efficient methods include:
Vacuate frequently: Vacuuming does not take so much from you, and it’s quite efficient in preventing bed bugs
Vacuuming can also be used to clean out some other pests like spiders, fleas, carpet beetles, etc.
Vacuuming won’t take so much time, depending on the size of your carpet. Bed covers are not also left out, anything to be safe. Also, ensure to empty your cleaners by the time you are done.
Inspect Your Furniture When Buying It: Try as much as possible to inspect your furniture before you buy it; I mean second-hand or fairly used furniture.
Also, when you rent your pieces of furniture out, try to inspect them before you bring them in when they are returned.
Seal the Cracks and Holes
Sometimes these pieces of furniture or carpets get old and worn but are not in the budget for replacement; you might as well check them out for tears and holes.
These holes can be sealed in numerous ways, but it is very advisable to call in professionals to help out.
In conclusion, bed bugs can live in carpets, particularly when you have a bed bug infestation in your bed. Bed bugs feel comfortable laying their eggs on carpets, making them a good abode.
Bed bugs also live in carpets, but the severity of their infestation is highly dependent on the size of the carpet.
Being that you are their prey, they likely love to stay close to their source of food; invariably, your carpets and bed are great abodes for them.
However, putting in great preventive measures can help reduce the possibility or level of infestation. Careful inspection and all-around cleanliness can also help a lot.
Hi, I am Godswill David aka Mr. Pest, research expert and author at Pestclue. With 5+ years of experience surfing pest, pest control and pet, I will assist and provide all solutions related to pests, pest control and pet care, my aim is to ensure your environment is pest-free and your pets are healthy.
