Where do bed bugs hide?

Bed bugs are built to hide. They’re flat enough to slip into a crack the width of a credit card, they come out mainly in the hours before dawn, and they rest the rest of the time tucked into dark, undisturbed crevices — almost always within a few feet of where their host sleeps. Knowing exactly where to look is the fastest way to confirm an infestation.

The “a few feet from the bed” rule

Because bed bugs feed on you while you sleep and don’t travel far, the overwhelming majority hide within about two metres of the bed. Start your search there and work outwards — the closer to the mattress, the more likely you are to find them.

First places to check (highest likelihood)

• Mattress seams, piping and tufts — especially at the head end
• The box spring or divan base, including the underside and any fabric
• Joints and slots in the bed frame, where sections fit together
• Behind and underneath the headboard — a top hiding spot people forget

Next places (common secondary spots)

• Bedside tables and drawers, including the runners and joints
• Along skirting boards and where carpet meets the wall near the bed
• Inside electrical sockets and light switch plates close to the bed
• Behind loose wallpaper, posters and picture frames
• In the folds and hems of curtains, and along the curtain rail

Wider spots in a heavier infestation

As numbers grow, bed bugs spread further out: into sofas and armchairs (especially where someone naps), the seams of upholstered furniture, cracks in flooring, and even behind radiators. In flats and shared houses they’ll travel through gaps around pipework into neighbouring rooms.

How to inspect properly

Use a bright torch and run the beam slowly along seams and joints. An old bank card or a thin blade drawn along the mattress piping will flush bugs out of the seam. Look for the bugs themselves, pale shed skins, tiny dark spots (droppings), and rusty blood smears. Strip the bed fully and check the frame piece by piece.

Found something?

Our guide to spotting the signs explains how to tell bed bug evidence from everything else. If you’ve found them — or you’re fairly sure but want it confirmed — use our free matching service to get a vetted local specialist to inspect and treat it properly.