Yes, bed bugs can live on wood, and actually, they can live on any surface close to a blood source. Whether you have a wooden or metal bed frame, it doesn’t matter. If you get bed bugs, they can easily set up a harborage on either one.
It’s easy for bed bugs to hide on wood because, many times, there are a lot of seams and creases. These small spaces where two pieces of wood meet create a hiding spot for bed bugs.
Often, if you have an ornate wooden bed frame, like a platform bed with drawers, you’ll have a more challenging time finding bed bugs. With a metal bed frame, you might be able to inspect all of the screw holes and joints easier than with a Captain’s wooden bed frame.
People mistakenly think that they won’t get bed bugs if they have a metal bed frame instead of wood. In all reality, bed bugs can live and thrive on any surface; all they care about is getting a blood meal.
Do Bed Bugs Live in Wood?
Yes, bed bugs do live in wood. ? Bed bugs cannot burrow into wood, but they can squeeze between two pieces that are joined together. Bed bugs do not have the type of legs that allow them to scratch and burrow into things. However, they do have a body that can be compressed, which will enable them to squeeze into cracks and crevices.
So if you see a piece of 2nd hand wood furniture outside, don’t take it into your home. Bed bugs can live outside for some time before dying.
Can Bed Bugs Live on Wood Floors?
Yes, If you have a wood floor and spaces between the boards do not have a proper seal, a bed bug can live on the floor, especially if you have a bed bug problemin your home.
It’s easy for the wood floor near your beds and couches to become infested. Check out this video of a bed bug crawling on our client’s wood floor:
Bed bugs can also hide in the cracks and crevices between the molding and the floor, so it’s also essential to check those areas.
One client we did a bed bug inspection for had bed bugs harboring underneath his wood floor. Our bed bug dog, Goosey, alerted to the floor. It wasn’t until a few weeks later, when they pulled up the floor boards, that they found the bed bugs. (Right where Goosey said they were!)
It’s important to remember that any surface can be a potential hiding spot for bed bugs. Whether you have wood furniture or metal furniture, it doesn’t matter. It would help if you routinely inspect your beds and furniture for signs of bed bugs.
If you’re unsure if you have an infestation or want peace of mind, call a professional bed bug inspector like us: Doctor Sniffs. If you live in the NYC area, we can adequately inspect and determine if there is an infestation.
I hope this helps! 🙂
Do Bed Bugs Hide in Wood?
Yes, bed bugs can hide in wood. They are small enough to squeeze into the tiny crevices between two pieces of wood. They will also hide along seams and cracks and underneath loose pieces of furniture or upholstery. It is important to inspect any wooden furniture for the tell tale signs of bugs before bringing it into your place.
Bed Bugs in Wood Furniture – How to Prevent It?
The best way to prevent bed bugs from getting into and on your wood furniture is to treat the infestation with a bed bug specialist company. If you live in the NYC area, give us a call, and we’ll help you figure out a solution.
If you are using a moving truck and are concerned about bed bugs climbing onto your wood furniture from the truck, then wrap it. All furniture needs to be wrapped in plastic before it goes into the moving truck.
Can You Get Bed Bugs From Wood Furniture?
You can get bed bugs from wood furniture if it already has a bed bug issue. However, bed bugs will not live on wood furniture if a blood source is not nearby, so it is essential to inspect your wooden furniture before bringing it into your home. If you find signs of bed bugs, contact a professional to help you with removal and treatment.
It’s also important to note that bed bugs do not magically appear on wood. They have to crawl onto the wood furniture from another location. One of our clients found a bed bug on her wooden desk. It turns out that she placed her backpack on the floor next to this desk daily.
Since we did not find any other bed bugs in her apartment, we were able to conclude that it must have been a hitchhiker. So if you found one bed bug but no others, you can monitor your situation at home for a few weeks.
What Are the Signs of Bed Bugs in Wood Furniture?
Check out some of these early signs of bed bugs to help you inspect your wooden furniture. If you see any of these signs, you should investigate further.
Bed Bug Droppings
These bed bug marks on wood will look like black ink marks. These marks are actually bed bug poop. On wood, they will either be raised or soaked in, depending on how porous the wood is.
Bed Bug Shells
You may see bed bug shells on the seams of creases of wood. However, you may also see bed bug casings inside a drawer or clinging onto a surface. If you see a bed bug shell, save it and take it to your local pest pro to get a proper ID.
Dead Bed Bugs
If you find dead bed bugs on a piece of used furniture you are thinking about taking home, think twice. Often, people find a part of a carpet beetle body and think it’s a dead bed bug. However, it’s best to confirm that what you see is a dead bed bug.
Bed Bug Eggs
Bed bug eggs on the furniture will look like pearly white cylinders that are 1mm in size. Since the eggs are sticky, they will be on any wood surface. After bed bugs feed on you, they may deposit some eggs while walking back to their harborage.
Often we will find the bed bug egg near feces and shells. Therefore if you do find bed bug eggs, you’ll more than likely see other signs of bugs.
How to Check Wood Furniture for Bed Bugs
- Get a bright flashlight that is going to light up the wood. Without proper illumination, you won’t be able to check the furniture for bugs.
- Methodically inspect every inch of the wood furniture. Look for the signs we listed above, like ink stains.
- Pay special attention to where two pieces of wood meet. It’s these seams and joints that could hide a bed bug.
How to Remove Bed Bugs From Wood Furniture
One way is to place the wood furniture into a bed bug oven or hire a pest company to help you treat it. Get one of the best bed bug heaters if it’s a piece of furniture you are thinking about bringing into your home. You can easily place your stuff into the portable heat box, plug it in, and kill any bed bugs on your wood furniture.
There are two leading brands, and I have the Zapp Bug and the Thermal Strike. However, I’d go with the Thermal Strike if your wood furniture is not that big. Just measure the dimensions and choose the suitable machine. Additionally, they are both easy to use and require no skills.
What is the Likelihood of Bed Bugs in Used Furniture?
There is a 50/50 risk of bed bugs in any used furniture, especially wooden furniture. Bed bugs can easily hide and lay eggs inside the joints of wood furniture, so it’s essential to take the necessary steps to check them for signs of bugs.
With bed bugs, they can be on any furniture. Many ask us if bed bugs can climb on metal bed frames, and the answer is “yes”; bed bugs can be on any frame.
When inspecting used furniture, look for all the usual signs we listed above, like bug shells or feces. If you don’t see any of these signs, you still can’t be 100% sure there are no bed bugs on the furniture. These creatures have a knack for hiding and going unnoticed.
How to Make Sure Used Furniture is Bug-Free?
The only way to be 100% sure your used furniture is bug-free is to place the furniture into a bed bug oven. It’s a portable heating box where you can place objects, furniture, books, shoes, and more. Furthermore, it will also kill any mites, carpet beetle larvae, and other pests that might be infesting your used furniture.
There are two leading brands, and I personally have the Zapp Bug and the Thermal Strike. If your piece of wood furniture is not that big, then I recommend the Thermal Strike. Just measure the dimensions and choose the suitable machine. Additionally, they are both easy to use and require no skills.
Can New Furniture Have Bed Bugs?
There are many ways new furniture can get bed bugs on it. Here are a few of the most common ways a new piece of furniture will bring bed bugs:
- The factory has a bed bug issue, and your furniture was near the problem.
- If the furniture is in a showroom and people sit on it, then there is a chance that someone drops off a hitchhiker.
- Suppose your furniture gets delivered in a truck that previously removed someone else’s bed bug-infested furniture. Then there is a high chance that your new furniture will get a bed bug.
- The person delivering your furniture has a bed bug issue at home, and they unknowingly drop some bed bugs onto your new piece.
Are Bed Bugs Attracted to Wood?
No bed bugs are not attracted to wood. They are more attracted to people and their blood. More importantly, bed bugs will travel on furniture, walls, and even through electrical outlets in search of a host.
So if your home has had an infestation, then it’s likely that the bed bugs will be all around your house and not just on the wooden furniture.
Final Thoughts for Do Bed Bugs Live in Wood?
Despite what you may have heard, bed bugs can live on any furniture, including wood. So if you’re concerned about bed bugs, inspect your beds and furniture for signs of them routinely. And if you suspect you might have a problem, don’t hesitate to call a pest control professional to get rid of the problem.