There are bedbugs in the sofa: what causes them and how you can effectively get rid of them

It is recommended to purchase used upholstered furniture with great caution, since this is where bedbugs prefer to live and breed. The warm environment and darkness create ideal conditions for their comfort. If owners begin to experience bites every night, they should immediately take steps to eliminate the parasites. When starting to fight bloodsuckers, you need to know that they have the ability to multiply quite quickly. Therefore, it is much easier to destroy adult individuals than egg laying. In the process of fighting, it is not at all necessary to resort to the help of exterminators. Let's look at how to get rid of bedbugs on a sofa yourself.

How to understand that there are bedbugs in the house

Vladimir B.

Insecticide Treatment Expert

Bed bugs are blood-sucking parasites that live in houses and apartments. They have high vitality and reproduce quickly. Therefore, it takes a long time and is difficult to remove them. To prevent the fight against bloodsuckers from dragging on for months, take measures to destroy them immediately after the first signs of their appearance. We'll tell you how to get bedbugs out of your sofa quickly and without harm to your health.

Direct evidence of the appearance of bedbugs in the sofa is the detection of the parasite itself. It may look different depending on what stage of development the bloodsucker is at. There are 3 of them in total:

Egg. It is elongated and white. The length is about 1 mm. There is a small hole at one end.
Nymph. This is a couch bug larva with an oval segmented body and 6 limbs. Before growing up, it goes through 5 stages of development, each of which ends with the shedding of the chitinous shell and the growth of a new one - more spacious and stronger. Depending on what stage of development the larva is at, its length can range from 1.5 to 4 mm. At first, its transparent body has a yellowish tint. As the nymph matures, it turns brown.
Imago. This is an adult bed bug. It is distinguished by its round shape and dark brown color. The body of females reaches 8 mm in length, males - 6 mm. Adult parasites have wing rudiments, which are attached at the point where the head and abdomen of the insect merge. After a night meal, the body of bed bugs lengthens and becomes oval. Females acquire the same body shape before laying eggs.

You will only be able to see a live bug in the sofa if you have discovered a nesting site for the parasites. They are nocturnal and crawl out of hiding when you sleep. Therefore, the likelihood of finding a crushed bloodsucker is higher. After a meal they become slow and clumsy. In this state, they can easily be crushed by turning over on their side.

You can also judge the appearance of bedbugs in a sofa by indirect signs. These include the discovery of blood stains on the bed after sleep and brown shells shed by nymphs. If the sofa has become a home for bloodsuckers, you will not get enough sleep. And in the morning, your body will be covered with many red spots that swell and itch.

Is re-processing necessary?

Modern drugs intended for the destruction of bed bugs are contact, i.e. Those bugs that came into contact with the substance die. All new products have a prolonged effect - this means that the effect will be achieved within a month. As mentioned above, the effect of the chemical will not affect the larvae: they develop and retain their viability.

Removing bed bugs is not just a reduction in the number of individuals, but their complete destruction. To be completely sure that the bedbugs did not leave the place treated with chemicals and did not find a new secluded corner, but completely died out, it is almost always worth carrying out several measures to destroy them.

How do bedbugs appear at home?

It is wrong to believe that bed bloodsuckers live only in dirty and unkempt housing. They can appear inside the sofas of any person, regardless of his standard of living, cleanliness and order in the house. Here's how it happens:

Blood-sucking insects enter the house along with pieces of furniture and equipment purchased second-hand. An old owner may be selling a sofa for this very reason. But he will remain silent about it in order to get rid of the burden for profit.
Bedbugs can get into your personal belongings or get tangled in the folds of your clothes when you spend the night with guests or in a hotel.
Sofa parasites crawl from one apartment to another along ventilation ducts and other utilities.

The appearance of bedbugs may be associated with animals whose blood is also suitable for feeding parasites. Eggs and larvae can hide in the thick fur of cats, dogs, and bird feathers. Therefore, when picking up an animal from the street, be vigilant. It will be better for everyone if the first place a stray puppy or kitten ends up is a veterinary clinic.

Is it true that bed bugs fly or jump?

Despite the fact that bed bugs are long-time neighbors of humans, not all information about them is widespread. A typical example is the established myth that parasites can jump far or even fly. The reasons for the emergence of such misconceptions are most likely related to the abilities of other representatives of this subspecies of insects. Among them there are many that move using all the methods existing in nature.

However, the structural features of the bedbug’s body significantly limit its ability to move around an apartment, house or other human habitation. The three pairs of insect legs are not at all suitable for even the shortest jumps, since they are not capable of creating explosive force.

The wings, located on the upper part of the body, are practically not formed and are difficult to discern only upon closer examination. Using them to move through the air is, of course, unrealistic.

Therefore, in the process of detecting or exterminating bedbugs in an apartment, it is necessary to clearly understand that they move around a person’s home in one way - slowly crawling from one place to another. This usually happens in the dark, since during the day the insects practically do not move, but sit in their shelters.

Why are bedbug bites dangerous?

Accumulation of bedbugs on human skin
The danger of a sofa bug lies in multiple bites, the number of which can reach several dozen in one night. Swelling appears in the affected area, hyperemia develops, and itching begins to bother you. If you scratch the bite, you can cause an infection, which can lead to inflammation and suppuration, followed by scar formation.

Bedbugs in sofas also cause:

sleep disorders;
irritability;
iron deficiency anemia;
allergic reaction.

Since bedbugs are blood-sucking insects, there is a possibility that they carry dangerous infections like ticks. These include brucellosis, tuberculosis, smallpox, and hepatitis C. There is no scientific evidence for this assumption. But while there is no refutation, if bedbugs are found in the sofa, you should be especially careful and take urgent measures to remove them.

Where to look for bedbugs

But you also need to remember about household appliances, with which houses are now filled to capacity. It may seem that household appliances are not at all suitable for these insects (bugs like the feeling of constriction, they associate it with safety), high temperatures, and no food. But this is not true. These insects breed in household appliances just as well as in furniture. In household appliances, parasites are protected from light and temperature changes.

They, of course, will not live near the hob, but they are quite comfortable when the ambient temperature is 15-40 degrees. Bedbugs can be in your TV, vacuum cleaner, refrigerator, washing machine and computer.

How to deal with bedbugs

There are three main methods of dealing with bedbugs living in sofas:

calling employees of the sanitary-epidemiological station (SES);
removal of parasites using folk remedies;
getting rid of bed bugs in the sofa with insecticidal preparations.

The most effective and fastest way to get rid of bedbugs in a sofa is to call an SES. Station employees will treat your home with cold or hot mist consisting of tiny particles of insecticides. This is the name for substances intended to remove harmful insects. The fog penetrates the entire structure of the sofa and the smallest cracks in the room, which leaves bedbugs no chance of survival. But this method has its drawbacks:

Steaming a sofa for bedbugs

First, you will have to remove from the house everything that could be damaged by the fog.
It will be necessary to disassemble all the furniture down to the smallest elements. After all, bedbugs can hide behind the upholstery of a sofa, bed, or in the cracks of a structure.
During the treatment, all family members will have to leave the apartment, because the chemical vapors are very toxic, including for pets.
After chemical treatment, the home needs general cleaning. Without it, living there will be dangerous.
Calling the SES is an expensive pleasure that can hit the family budget hard.

Folk remedies are varied. They do not involve large expenses and complex preparation, or harm to humans or animals. But they won’t get bedbugs out of the sofa. Although in combination with other methods of disposal they may be useful. Scented herbs, solutions, water vapor and other tricks will help reduce the growth of the parasite population, which will speed up their complete extermination.

In terms of effectiveness, the independent use of insecticides occupies an intermediate position between traditional methods and professional disinfestation. To say goodbye to bedbugs in the sofa with their help, you will have to carry out at least 2-3 treatments with an interval of 10 days. Most drugs are sold in the form of aerosols, which need to be sprayed into nests and crevices where bloodsuckers are likely to live. Due to their high toxicity, you need to work using personal protective equipment. And after treatment you need to leave the apartment for several hours.

Sofa treatment for bedbugs

Let's find out how to remove bedbugs from a sofa at home. The approach to combating bloodsuckers must be comprehensive. Processing takes half a day or several days, depending on the size of the apartment. The procedure begins with the floor and wall behind the back of the sofa: this is necessary to avoid re-infection.

When processing independently, consider the least aggressive methods of pest control.

Important! Pests lay larvae in parquet floor cracks or joints between wallpaper.

It is recommended to wash the area where the furniture was with hot water and soapy water or chemicals.

Special means

Diatomite is widely used - a mineral powder that is safe for humans and pets. The second name of the product is “kieselguhr”. It is applied by douching on the surface of furniture and remains for a couple of days. Then it is carefully wiped off the upholstery with a damp cloth.

There is a minus: the powder only works on external surfaces; parasites may remain inside the sofa.

Second option: ultrasonic repellers. Effective for beds and armchairs, but for sofas with a thick layer of upholstery, the method will not work: the waves will not pass through spring blocks and pillows. There are many chemicals that are applied to all parts and pieces of furniture in disassembled form. The attachment points, legs, bottom, upholstery material, and frame are processed.

Each manufacturer indicates the holding time for each composition.

Advice! It is important to follow all safety rules: work is carried out with gloves and respirators, and the room is then thoroughly ventilated.

To enhance the effect of the treatment, you can cover the sofa with a non-breathable cover or film. Upon completion of the procedure, wet cleaning and ventilation are required. Insecticides come in different types: sprays, powders, capsules.

Folk remedies

You can also try traditional methods: spray a vinegar solution or turpentine on the surface. Thanks to the specific smell, the products not only kill bedbugs, but also scare them away. Disadvantage: the pungent smell will remain on the furniture for a long time. Essential oils suitable for these purposes include clove, peppermint, tea tree or lavender. The composition dissolves in water and washes the sofas and floors nearby.

The method is also suitable for washing bed linen.

Important! Oils repel, but do not kill insects!

You can use the temperature method: pests do not tolerate sudden changes in temperature. They can get used to chemicals, but they die from freezing. If you lower the degrees in the infected room to -10, the larvae will die, along with the entire “family”. In the private sector, you can turn off the heating during the cold season or leave the doors open. The downside is that you won’t be able to take the bed outside, and a sudden change in conditions will damage the upholstery.

The method is effective, but difficult to implement.

For bedbugs, the normal temperature is up to 30 degrees. Insects can only be removed if the indicators increase. As an option, you can treat it with a steam generator - the main thing is to reach difficult areas.

Mechanical impact

Bedbugs move slowly, so they can be collected with gloved hands or a vacuum cleaner. A vacuum cleaner with good power will be able to collect them even from under the fabric. Parasites are easily visible on light-colored materials, so you can try sticky fly tape.

You can get rid of them using technology that allows you to perform high-temperature treatment, as well as the use of toxic substances.

Remember! Collected insects do not die - they must be sprayed with poison or washed down the drain.

How to remove bedbugs using Ecokiller

When there are small children in the house, the safest, but no less effective way to destroy a bedbug in the sofa is to use Ecokiller. It is a light, fine powder obtained from diatomite, a rock consisting of the shells of diatoms. Its particles have an abrasive effect. They break the wax coating of the sofa bug, which provides it with protection from excess moisture evaporation. Without it, parasites develop dehydration, which leads to rapid death.

How does bedbug repellent work?

Stages of fighting bedbugs in the sofa with Ecokiller powder:

Preparation for extermination - sealing exit routes from the apartment and searching for nests.
Treatment of nests and other secluded places.
Spring-cleaning.

You must act in strict accordance with the sequence. Ignoring any of the stages can delay the fight against bedbugs in a sofa or bed for months.

Stage 1 - preparation for extermination

To prevent parasites from returning after treatment is completed, prevent them from entering neighboring apartments. To do this, close the ventilation holes and seal other cracks where insects can find shelter. Minor repairs may be required.

You need to remove bedbugs not only from the sofa. They can settle in other secluded places. Try to find them. Here are the most likely habitats of bloodsuckers:

behind paintings, baseboards, sofas;
in the folds of the upholstery of a sofa, armchair and other upholstered furniture;
under the mattress, as well as in the space between it and the headboard;
in bed linen;
in the cracks of wooden furniture, floors, in holes on the wall;
in sockets, electrical appliances;
in books, magazines and other objects that stand still most of the time.

Couch bugs settle near a food source. In apartments and houses they feed on human blood. Therefore, you will find their nests either in the sofa, bed, or next to them. Bloodsuckers live away from their sleeping areas only when their population becomes too large.

Stage 2 - processing of nests and apartments

You can try to remove detected nests with a vacuum cleaner. With its help, you can suck in adults, larvae, and eggs. But some insects will hide. You will already fight them with the help of Ecokiller. Sprinkle powder in and around nesting areas. Treat the space behind the baseboard, behind the sofa, and mattress with the product. It can be sprinkled under the carpet and other places where parasites may appear.

The larger the surface area treated, the higher the likelihood that surviving individuals will touch the powder on their way to your bed. One contact with it is enough for the insect to damage the protective shell and die within a few days from dehydration. Since parasites do not need blood every day, it is advisable to leave Ecokiller on surfaces for at least 2 days. In secluded places, the powder is left for a longer time.

Stage 3 - cleaning after removing parasites

After two days you can clean:

Remove visible powder residues with a vacuum cleaner.
Wipe surfaces with a damp cloth and wash floors.
Shake or beat out carpets and other textiles outside.
If you have sealed cracks and vents, open them.

It is better to destroy parasites by approaching the problem thoroughly. Therefore, boiling and ironing bed linen would be a useful measure. This will destroy eggs that may have been left by bedbugs in the folds of the fabric. Dry clean clothes that may be damaged by boiling. Additionally, steam upholstered furniture, curtains and other textiles.

Advice! If you don't have a steam generator, use an iron. It's not as convenient, but no less effective.

How to understand that bedbugs have disappeared

If the sofa is free of bedbugs, the first thing you will notice is the absence of new bites. Red spots that constantly itch and swell will no longer appear on the body. You will get enough sleep and feel good. At the same time, blood stains and crushed larvae and imagoes will no longer appear on the bed.

Please note that after treating a bedroom or the entire apartment, live eggs could remain. The larvae emerge from them after 4–19 days. At room temperature this period is about 10 days. Therefore, after this time, you can again become victims of parasites. Be prepared for such developments and keep Ecokiller ready. If you do not miss the moment and destroy the pests at the larval stage, they will not become sexually mature and will not be able to lay new eggs. This will end your fight against bedbugs in sofas.

First step: discovery

First of all, you need to make sure that bedbugs have settled in the house. The difficulty is that insects during daylight hours prefer to hide in secluded places - gaps, cracks in furniture, floors and walls. In addition, many people have never seen bedbugs, so they mistake the parasites for other types of insects.

Advice! In order not to be mistaken in identifying the type of insect, it is worth looking at the photo to see what adult bedbugs and larvae look like.

What signs should you be wary of?

What signs indicate that bedbugs have appeared in the house:

Bites. The appearance of red spots on the body, similar to mosquito bites, but arranged in characteristic “chains”. In the photo you can see what the consequences of “contacts” with bed parasites look like on the body.
Suspicious spots. On the linen, wallpaper near the bed, and the floor you can see numerous dark spots - insect excrement. And small blood spots regularly appear on the sheets; blood flows from wounds on the skin caused by bites.

The appearance of empty chitinous shells. The larvae molt five times during their growth, changing their shells each time, so empty shells often appear near the bed.

Where to look

Before you get rid of bedbugs, you need to try to find their nests.

Advice! Nests are unorganized accumulations of insects that live in large groups. In the photo you can see that the bedbug nest looks extremely unpleasant and untidy, since along with insects of different ages there is a large amount of excrement, empty shells and egg shells.

So, where to look for clusters of bedbugs:

First of all, you need to examine the bedroom furniture. You need to remove the mattress from the bed and inspect it, paying attention to seams and folds;
The wooden structure of the bed should also be inspected; in the gaps of the furniture you can often find traces of human activity and living bedbugs;
if some rarely used things are stored under the bed, then bedbugs often settle there;

Next, you should inspect the sofas and armchairs; parasites love to live in the seams and folds of upholstery;
the next stage is bedside tables, chests of drawers and wardrobes. You should remove things from them, remove drawers and shelves. Bedbugs can often be found on the bottom and back walls of furniture;
Other typical places for parasites to settle include the edges of floor coverings, cracks in walls and baseboards, and the joints of ceiling and wall trim.

Advice! How to conduct a full inspection of the premises to detect clusters of parasites can be seen in training video materials.

About the safety of Ecokiller for people and animals

Ecokiller is a natural insecticide that is deadly to bed bugs, but safe for humans. You can touch it with your hands and even taste it. Medicines for oral administration are obtained from diatomite. In medicine, they are prescribed to patients with a deficiency of minerals such as magnesium and calcium. Therefore, you don’t have to worry that your baby will accidentally touch the powder poured on the floor or elsewhere.

The product is also safe for pets. On the contrary, it can be used in the fight against pests that parasitize them: lice, fleas, ticks. Therefore, powder particles that fall on the paws and fur of animals have a beneficial effect on their health. Don't worry if your cat or dog deliberately wants to taste diatomaceous earth - for them, the powder is a rich source of valuable minerals. It is often included in vitamin and mineral supplements for cattle, birds and pets.

Order a safe bedbug repellent

Advantages of Ecokiller over other insecticides

Ecokiller is an effective means of killing bedbugs behind the sofa. It is preferred because:

The powder has a 100% natural composition.
The product is merciless against bedbugs, but it is safe for people and animals. Therefore, you do not need to leave the apartment during processing. You can continue to lead your normal lifestyle without fear of poisoning.
The cost of Ecokiller is hundreds of times cheaper than calling a SES, but in terms of effectiveness it is practically not inferior to professional disinfection. You can buy it here.
The average time for removing bedbugs is 2 days. If necessary, Ecokiller is reused. This may be necessary when new larvae appear that could have hatched from the eggs remaining after the first treatment.
Economical consumption. For processing an apartment of 50 square meters. m. one bottle is enough.
Convenient use. The bottle is equipped with a long narrow tube, which allows you to treat hard-to-reach areas and dispense the product for its even distribution.

The sofa is a piece of furniture loved by bedbugs. It has many secluded places in which it is comfortable to live and reproduce not far from a person, who serves as the main source of food for parasites. It is not difficult to remove bedbugs from it. The main thing is to start the fight as early as possible. Then you can deal with them using safe methods, and you won’t have to throw the sofa in the trash.

Causes of parasites

You should not think that pests can only appear in the apartments of untidy housewives, although in dirty rooms the likelihood of infection increases.

Where do bed bugs come from:

they are transferred from other apartments, hotels, dormitories, etc.;
insects crawl from neighboring rooms through cracks in the ceilings;
pests are brought in in purchased furniture or clothing.

In an apartment or private house, bedbugs settle anywhere, but they give preference to places with food close to them. Females lay eggs in sofas, on bookshelves, and in electronic equipment.

Insects live up to one year.

It is recommended to spend more time cleaning the room; parasites feel more at ease in clutter and trash.