If you’ve ever woken up to itchy, red bites on your skin, it’s possible that bed bugs are to blame. These tiny pests are notorious for infesting bedding and other areas where humans rest or sleep.
So, how do these bed bugs get on your sheets? What are the early signs of an infestation? Keep reading to learn everything about these sneaky creatures!
How Do Bed Bugs Get On Sheets?
There’s a reason bed bugs are called excellent hitchhikers. They can crawl and travel very fast. As per stats, a bed bug can cover a distance of about 100 feet just overnight. They can crawl into luggage, clothing, and other belongings, making their way into your home without you even realizing it.
Once they are inside, they seek out places to hide and breed, such as in the seams and folds of your mattress, box spring, and of course, your sheets.
Another way bed bugs can get onto your sheets is through infested furniture. If you buy used furniture or have a friend who has an infestation, bed bugs can quickly spread to your own bedding.
What Do Bed Bugs Like On Sheets?
Bed bugs are attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide, which is why they are often found in areas where humans sleep. They also prefer areas that are undisturbed, making your bedding an ideal location.
When it comes to choosing a place to feed, bed bugs prefer exposed skin, such as your arms, legs, and neck.
Early Signs of Bed Bugs on Bedding
Early detection of bed bugs is key to preventing a large infestation. Here are some signs to look out for on your bedding:
- Small brown or black dots (bed bug feces)
- Bloodstains from crushed bed bugs
- Tiny white eggs or empty eggshells
- Live bed bugs or nymphs along the seams of the mattress or bed frame cracks
| Early Signs of Bed Bugs on Sheets | Description |
|---|---|
| Small brown or black dots | Bed bug feces, which can appear in clusters or scattered |
| Bloodstains | Result from bed bugs being crushed while feeding |
| Tiny white eggs or empty eggshells | Sign of bed bug breeding and infestation |
| Live bed bugs | Small, flat, and oval-shaped insects that are reddish-brown in color |
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Once you’ve identified an infestation, it’s best to act instantly. These pests reproduce and spread quickly.
An average female bed bug can lay 5-20 eggs from one blood meal. Here’s how you can combat bed bugs at home the natural way.
- Wash your bedding in hot water and dry on high heat. This will kill any bed bugs or eggs that are present.
- Use a steam cleaner to clean your mattress and box spring. The high temperature of the steam will kill bed bugs and their eggs.
- Vacuum your mattress, box spring, and surrounding area regularly to remove any bed bugs and their eggs.
- Cover your mattress with a bed bug-proof mattress. The cover will trap and kill the insects inside and prevent further bugs from entering the mattress.
You may also consider using small packets of silica gel to kill off the bed bugs near or on your bed.
Moreover, using rubbing alcohol, scented dryer sheets, and a hair dryer to heat your mattress occasionally may also help keep your home safe and prevent the further spread of bed bugs.
FAQs:
Do Bed Bugs Bite Through Bedding?
Yes, bed bugs can bite through bedding. While they prefer to bite exposed skin, they are capable of biting through fabric to reach their desired meal. This is why it’s important to use protective covers on your mattress and box spring to prevent bed bugs from infesting these areas.
How Can I Tell if My Sheets Have Bed Bugs?
There are a few signs that you can look out for to determine if your sheets have bed bugs. These include:
- Small brown or black dots (bed bug feces)
- Bloodstains from crushed bed bugs
- Tiny white eggs or empty eggshells
- Small itchy bumps or bed bug bites on the exposed parts of your skin
Can Bed Bugs Live on Sheets?
Yes, bed bugs can live on sheets. In fact, they are known to infest bedding and other areas where humans rest or sleep. Bed bugs prefer warm, undisturbed areas, which makes your bedding an ideal location for them to breed and feed.
How Long Do Bed Bugs Live on Sheets?
Bed bugs can survive for two to three months without a blood meal. If they are present on your bedding and sheets, they have easy access to human blood, which prolongs their life span.
Hence a typical lifetime of a bed bug is from four to six months. In colder temperatures, they can live up to 12 months.
What Kills Bed Bugs on Sheets?
There are several things that can kill bed bugs on sheets, including:
- Washing your bedding in hot water and drying on high heat
- Using a steam cleaner to clean your mattress and box spring
- Vacuuming your mattress, box spring, and surrounding area regularly to remove any bed bugs and their eggs
- Using protective mattress covers kills the bed bugs trapped inside.
- Also, folding and zipping the sheet in a plastic bag and freezing it can kill the bed bugs. Keep it frozen for 24 hours, then shake the sheet outside to remove all the dead bugs.
If you are dealing with a severe infestation, you may need to use professional extermination services to fully eradicate the bed bugs from your home.