Yes, bed bugs can infest recliners, clothes, luggage, and other furniture pieces if there are tight spaces for them to hide. Recliners are an attractive place for bed bugs to live since they offer a variety of hiding places, such as seams, crevices, and folds.
Bed bugs are tiny, flat insects that feed on the blood of animals and humans. They are reddish-brown in color and almost the size of an apple seed, making them difficult to spot. These pesky insects can squeeze into small spaces with flattened bodies.
Whether you have recently purchased a second-hand recliner or have felt unusual irritations on your body when sitting on it, there is a chance that your recliner could become their new hiding spot. Be with me to spot and get rid of bugs if present!
Can Bed Bugs Be Present On Leather Recliners?
Bed bugs can live in various materials like leather, suede, or vinyl. However, they can’t really hide in this kind of material. Moreover, they find it hard to climb on smooth surfaces like leather. Therefore, they usually hide in places that are easier for them to move around.
However, many furniture pieces with leather on top also have different upholstery materials underneath. Bed bugs are perfectly fine hiding in these other materials underneath the leather.
Read this guide To Dispose Of Furniture With Bed Bugs.
Where Bed Bugs Can Hide In a Recliner?
As I told you earlier, the best spots for bed bugs to hide in a recliner are seams, crevices, and folds. They find themselves safer in the hidden, dark spots. To better see where the bed bugs can hide in a recliner, see the video below.
How To Know If a Recliner Has Bed Bugs?
Bites
If you’ve got bites when sitting on the recliner, it’s a clear sign of bed bug infestations. Bed bug bites are usually small red with a slightly raised bump. Bed bugs like to bite areas of skin that are uncovered, like your face, arms, neck, or legs.
[su_note note_color=”#f8d3d2″]NOTE: If you’ve noticed strange bite marks after sitting on your leather recliner, it could mean that there are bed bugs around.[/su_note]
Stains
Bed bug poop can leave dark red marks on your recliner of different kinds. Some are tiny black spots, while others are reddish-brown streaks and smears. The color, shape, and size of the stains depend on how old the bug is and how long it’s been nourishing on blood.
[su_note note_color=”#dcf8d2″]TIP: Bed bugs’ stains might not always be easy to see on a recliner as the material can absorb them, making them hard or even impossible to notice. If so, look for other signs like shed bug skin or actual live bugs to be sure there’s an infestation.[/su_note]
Musty Smell
Another sign that your recliner might have bed bugs is the musty smell. Bed bugs emit an irritating smell that can be strong in areas with a lot of them. This smell comes from the pheromones bed bugs release and their waste.
Eggs
Bed bugs lay their eggs in warm, dark spots, and your recliner can be a great hiding space for them. Bed bug eggs are really tiny (almost 1mm long) and almost see-through, making them tough to spot.
[su_note note_color=”#f8d3d2″]NOTE: It might be a sign of bed bug eggs if you’ve seen tiny white specks that are similar to sesame seeds or rice on your leather recliner. [/su_note]
Live Bugs
In serious condition, you can find bed bugs crawling around on your recliner. Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown and almost the size of a small seed. They’re easier to spot than eggs or shed skin.
You’ll often find them in places where they’ve been feeding, like the seams and folds of your leather recliner. If you’ve seen little reddish-brown bugs moving on your leather recliner, there’s a good chance you have bed bugs.
Can Bed Bugs Jump Or Fly?
Bed bugs do not have wings, so they cannot fly, and they cannot jump either. They get around by crawling. That’s why you need to be really careful and look closely at things that might have been close to an area with bed bugs.
How Can Bed Bugs Come Into Recliners?
Bed bugs can get into recliners in many ways:
Infested Locations
Bringing them home from an area infested with bed bugs is a standard option. Staying in hotels, visiting a friend’s house, or even spending time in public places like movie theatres or buses where bed bugs may be hidden, and come with your luggage.
Used Furniture
Buying used furniture poses a risk, as bed bugs might be hidden in cracks and clothes. It is important to thoroughly examine any used furniture before leading it into your living room to prevent possible infection.
Travel-Related Infestations
If you’ve been in an area where there is a bed bug problem, bed bugs can travel secretly in your luggage. They can drive back into your house, raid your dishes and other things.
Person-to-Person Transmission
Bed bugs are excellent predators and can move from person to person. If you are near someone with a bed bug problem, there is a good chance that the bugs could crawl into your clothes or furniture and eventually invade your closet.
Should I Throw Away My Couch If It Has Bed Bugs?
I don’t suggest throwing away your couch if it has bed bugs. If the infestation is not severe, or if you are willing to invest in treating it, you can easily save your couch.
Although professional pest control treatment is the most effective way, it also needs a reasonable investment. Therefore, you can opt for the following procedure to get rid of bed bugs.
How To Treat Bed Bugs In Recliners?
Clean Your Recliner Thoroughly.
Carefully vacuuming your chair can help remove bed bugs and their eggs. Bed bugs mostly hide in crevices, folds, and seams, so pay particular attention to such areas.
[su_note note_color=”#dcf8d2″]TIP: To avoid bug problems, quickly get rid of the vacuum bag after cleaning or empty the container into a sealed plastic bag.[/su_note]
Opt For High-Heat Treatment.
Laundry with hot water and high heat can help get rid of bed bugs if the recliner’s fabric is detached and machine washable. These bugs and their eggs are effectively killed by high heat.
Pesticides
Various pesticides can be employed to combat bed bug problems. However, it’s vital to recognize that bed bugs have grown resistant to a few chemicals. Consequently, entrusting pesticide application to professionals is recommended.
Consult Professionals (Ultimate Solution)
Tackling bed bug infestation can be challenging. If nothing works, seek advice and assistance from professional pest control services. They ensure that the most appropriate and efficient treatment methods are employed, minimizing the risk of bug problems.
Best Way To Stop Bed Bugs Climbing Up On The Recliner
After successfully getting rid of bed bugs from your recliner, a highly effective method to keep them from returning and climbing up is to use plastic bed bug interceptors. These special cups are designed to be placed under each leg of your furniture, including the recliner.
These interceptors have a smooth surface that bed bugs can’t crawl up, preventing them from reaching the cozy spots in your furniture. You can easily find these interceptors in stores or online.
They serve a dual purpose: not only do they act as barriers to keep bed bugs away, but they also help you gauge the extent of the infestation. By observing how many bed bugs get trapped in the interceptors each day, you can assess the severity of the problem.
How To Tackle Bed Bugs Issue For Future?
Check Used Furniture.
Before getting any used furniture into your living, properly inspect it for symptoms of bed bugs. Look for dark spots (their droppings), shed skins, or even the bugs themselves. Pay proper attention to the folds, crevices, and seams of the furniture.
Regularly Clean Your Recliner.
Vacuum your comfort regularly, paying close attention to cracks, seams, and other areas that can hide bed bugs. Place the vacuum bag or canister in a sealed plastic bag and remove it from your home to prevent further spread of bacteria
Encase Your Recliner.
Consider using covers designed specifically for furniture. These covers are designed to catch bed bugs and stop them from biting or attacking you again. Be sure to choose a cover that is bedbug-proof and tightly sealed.
Conclusion
Bed bugs can infest recliners. They’re skilled at hiding and can come from infested places, used furniture, travel, or even person-to-person transmission.
Signs of an infestation include bites, bloodstains, a musty odor, or seeing live bed bugs. To deal with them, vacuum and clean your recliner, use high heat treatment, consult professionals, or apply pesticides under expert guidance.
Preventive steps include inspecting used furniture, regular cleaning, using protective covers, and seeking professional help if needed.
FAQs
How Do I Get Bed Bugs Out Of My Recliner Chair?
Getting rid of bed bugs might be challenging, but there are many methods you can try.
- Give the recliner a good vacuuming, being sure to get into all the crevices and cracks.
- Wash the cushions and coverings in hot water.
- Steam clean your recliner to get rid of the bed bugs as the final step.
[su_note note_color=”#f8d3d2″]NOTE: A professional exterminator could be needed if the infestation is serious.[/su_note]
Can Bed Bugs Live In Leather Recliners?
Yes, leather recliners can have bed bugs. They can blend in with the leather’s seams and fissures, making them hard to spot. If you suspect bed bugs may be present in your chair, it’s critical to act quickly to get rid of them.
How Do I Know If My Chair Has Bed Bugs?
There are some indications that your chair may have bed bugs. These include:
- Seeing small, brown bugs or their droppings in the chair
- Finding red, itchy bites on your skin
- Hearing rustling sounds coming from the chair
- Smelling a sweet, musty odor coming from the chair
What Kind Of Furniture Do Bed Bugs Not Like?
Bed bugs don’t like furniture that is made of smooth, hard surfaces. They prefer furniture that is made of fabric or upholstery, as this provides them with a place to hide and lay their eggs.
Bed bugs also don’t like furniture that is kept clean and dry. If you want to deter bed bugs, it’s important to keep your furniture clean and free of clutter.
