The basement and kitchen are most commonly associated with pest infestations, but the bedroom sees its fair share of pests, too. There’s some logic here, thanks to the window/door to the outdoors, a used bed with dust particles and possible crumbs, and random clutter on the floor.
Still, a pest invasion in the bedroom can be pretty upsetting. After all, it’s supposed to be the most relaxing room in the house! Pests can travel to any room in the home, but some actually prefer to stay in bedrooms for various reasons. Let’s see why bedroom pests invade this room in the first place.
Why the Bedroom?
This question might’ve popped in your head when you read the title to this blog. We have a few general answers for now, and we’ll get to the specifics later with each pest.
For now, the main reasons why pests invade bedrooms are:
- Clutter: Whether it’s under the bed or around the dresser, pests like to hide in our clutter. Some of them even find food sources in the mess!
- Pets: If your cat or dog sleeps in the bedroom, there’s a risk of pests hitching a ride on your furry friend. Ticks, fleas, and other bloodthirsty pests will hide in the pet’s fur.
- A Packed Closet: When the closet is messy and packed full, pests can hide on shelves and in corners. Dirty laundry and worn shoes also provide food sources.
- A Bathroom: A bathroom that’s attached to the bedroom might lead curious pests into the cozy room. Roaches, earwigs, and silverfish often stay in bathrooms.
Now, let’s discuss the 6 most common bedroom pests and why they love this cozy room!
Spiders
Thankfully, most house spiders don’t do much. Spiders in bedrooms usually just build webs or hide in the corner as they wait for their prey. These arachnids need constant warmth and food, both of which are often found in bedrooms. Spiders like to stay hidden at all times, and their favorite bedroom spots are under the furniture, near the window, and in corners of the room.
Windows are also a common entry point for spiders. Gaps in the window screen or cracks around the window provide enough room for a driven spider to squeeze through. Most spiders that invade a bedroom are easily squished, but two species are a cause for worry. Brown recluses and black widows have venomous bites, so please seek medical attention if you or anyone else is bitten.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are the ultimate bedroom pests. They’re usually found in beds and bed frames, hence the name. But bed bugs aren’t confined to beds, as they also live in wallpaper, luggage, curtains, carpet, couches, and wall outlets. They don’t have wings, so bed bugs need to hitchhike on objects or clothing to move to a new location. We recommend inspecting your luggage after traveling, just to be safe.
Cluttered spaces are a bed bug’s paradise since they need to hide to survive. They can live a year without food, so bed bugs will hide in a dark, cramped spot until they have access to a mammal. Bed bugs need our blood in order to lay eggs, and they produce up to 5 eggs a day after one feeding. If you or your family find red bites on yourselves, contact pest control immediately. Bed bugs are also immune to most pesticides, so it takes a pro to eradicate them!
Fleas
Fleas are more of an issue for pet owners, but you don’t have to own a cat or dog in order to experience a flea problem. These pests just need warm blood and a soft home to survive, so they can live in carpet, on pets, and in bedding. Fleas are more common in messy spaces because they’ll hide under boxes and clothes until a mammal gets close enough.
The most obvious sign of a flea problem is the abundance of small, itchy bites that appear on you or your pets. Fleas bite their hosts many times since they need the protein for their eggs. Some fleas can transmit harmful conditions, including tapeworms, plague, and typhus. Not every flea is infected, but it’s a good idea to get any bites checked out by a doctor. The pest control companies that treat for fleas often require your pets to be treated first, so make sure your pet is protected!
Rodents
Mice and rats are possibly the worst bedroom pests for a lot of reasons. For one, both produce multiple litters per year. The young rodents stay in the nest until they can forage for food on their own. Another reason is that rats and mice both have open-rooted teeth, so they need to constantly chew on items to keep them filed down. Clothing, wood, and cardboard are some of their favorites.
A third reason is where rats and mice like to hide. They also enjoy clutter and packed spaces, but one of their favorite spots is inside the walls. This creates a new world of problems, as the rodents chew through wiring, insulation, and drywall. The fourth (and maybe worst) reason why rodents are the worst is their contamination. They carry over 30 harmful pathogens and diseases, which they transmit to us both directly and indirectly.
Roaches
Roaches are filthy. They carry a world of diseases, aggravate our allergy and asthma symptoms, and contaminate everything. They’re also nocturnal, so roaches scavenge for food and water sources at night. These pests love clutter and excessive moisture, so a messy bedroom — or a humid bathroom — is a roach’s ideal habitat. They also reproduce often, which means a roach problem grows faster than we would prefer.
Between the sewers and garbage dumps that roaches crawl through, it’s no wonder that they carry so much bacteria! They transmit diseases such as E. coli, salmonella, and strep. Anything they touch needs to be disinfected (or thrown out) immediately. It’s also worth noting that roaches don’t only invade messy rooms. They just need extra water and a hidden shelter, so any indoor space qualifies. Remember: where one roach is, many more are likely hidden nearby.
Wasps
This one might sound like a mistake, but there are actually instances where wasps and other stinging pests make their way inside the bedroom. They can sneak through gaps in the house exterior, window screen, or house fan. Wasps are found in bedrooms because they were either seeking shelter and somehow got inside, or their nest is right outside the bedroom and they got curious.
Every wasp stings us repeatedly when they’re threatened, hornets being the most aggressive kind. Since every stinging pest is so territorial, it’s essential to find the nest of the invasive wasp and eliminate it ASAP. It could be under the eaves or on a tree directly outside. We recommend leaving the nest removal to the professionals since they have the protective equipment to aid in the removal. Trust us: stepping on a wasp in the bedroom is the last thing you need.
Protect Your Bedroom
The best ways to prevent bedroom pests are the everyday tasks you probably do now! Our favorites include:
- Avoiding food and drinks — We understand the appeal of snacking in bed, but crumbs are a great food source for pests. Try to keep all food and drinks (besides water) away from the bedroom as much as possible.
- Organizing the laundry — It’s tempting to throw your dirty clothes on the floor after a long day, but piles of clothes can hide pests. Treat any stained items ASAP, and keep all dirty clothes in a hamper or basket until you get to the laundry.
- Washing the sheets — Just as dirty clothes attract pests, dirty sheets provide appealing bacteria and scents for bloodthirsty pests. Wash your sheets every couple of weeks or so, and consider washing them more frequently if your pet sleeps with you.
- Checking your pets — Speaking of which, if you have any pets that spend a lot of time outside, check them for fleas and ticks. All it takes is your dog or cat bringing a couple of bloodsuckers into the bedroom to create a new nightmare.
Pointe Is A Dream-Worthy Solution!
Professional pest control isn’t just for emergencies. The licensed technicians of Pointe Pest Control are experienced in treating pest problems of every shape and size. We have years of experience in solving mysterious pest problems, stopping full-blown infestations, and preventing future invasions. We begin every service with a thorough inspection to find all areas of pest activity, then use those findings to create a customized treatment plan. When you choose Pointe, you can rest assured that your pest concerns will receive our complete attention. Contact us for a free quote on our reliable pest control services and say goodbye to your bedroom pests!
Citations
Common bedroom insects. (n.d.). Pest World. Retrieved on September 23, 2024, from https://www.pestworld.org/pest-in-the-house/bedroom/
Common bedroom pests. (2020, February 5). Maggie’s Farm. Retrieved on September 23, 2024, from https://maggiesfarmproducts.com/blogs/bug-help/common-bedroom-pests
David. (n.d.). 7 gross pests that live in a messy bedroom (and how to get rid of them). Pest Strategies. Available at https://www.peststrategies.com/learning-center/7-gross-pests-that-live-in-a-messy-room/ (Accessed on September 23, 2024).
