How to Inspect Your Office For Bed Bugs

Bed bugs, contrary to their name, can be found basically anywhere. They can be found on planes, they can hide in clothing and upholstery, and they can even stow away in used books! Unfortunately, offices are no exception to the places that bed bugs can be found. In fact, offices are great hiding places for the sneaky little pests. With all the upholstery, carpet, and sound-deadening panels in traditional offices, there are plenty of places for them to hang out. Luckily, there are several signs of bed bugs you can check for in order to make sure your office is pest-free.

Where Should I Look?

Upholstery and plush furniture isn’t the only place you should be looking for bed bugs. An adult bed bug is about the size of an apple seed and can fit into some really tiny spaces. Not only do they hang out in and on upholstery, they can also burrow down into carpet, especially shag carpet and other loose-fiber flooring. Since those types of carpets tend to be thick, you might not know you have a bed bug infestation for a while if that’s where they decide to hide. Look in noise-reducing panels as well. Check file cabinets and if you’re really concerned, check inside individual files. Keep in mind that bed bugs can hide in books as well, usually in between the spine and the pages.

What Are The Signs?

There are visual signs of bed bugs, of course. If you see any small black or rust-colored spots, these may be fecal stains, a key sign of bed bugs. If you see even one bed bug scuttling around the office, it’s worth checking for others, as there’s rarely just one. But if you don’t see any visual signs of bed bugs, then you’re safe, right? Well, not necessarily. Visual signs aren’t the only thing you need to be aware of. If you smell something musty with no clear source, this could be another sign of bed bugs. They release pheromones that can cause a rather strong musty odor. Additionally, if you’re noticing mysterious bites coming out of nowhere, especially if they’re in a row or group, you should probably check for other signs of bed bugs. 

How Can I Prevent Bed Bug Infestations at the Office?

Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to prevent bed bugs from taking over your workspace. One step you can take is to vacuum frequently and thoroughly if your office is carpeted. Bed bugs should be sucked up into the vacuum if you do this. Make sure to vacuum in all corners and crevices as well! You can also prevent bed bugs by avoiding bringing personal items into the office or making sure they’re clean. Of course, you have to bring some items in, but for example, you may want to bring in a blanket during the summer because your office cranks the air conditioning up to full blast. If you’re going to do this, make sure you wash and dry the blanket before you bring it in. This way, if you have bed bugs at home and aren’t aware of it, you can reduce the likelihood of you bringing them into the office. 

Does Your Office Have Bed Bugs?

If you think you have bed bugs or are interested in a heat sanitation treatment, contact Bed Bug Barbeque, LLC in Lakewood, Ohio! We use heat treatment to eradicate bed bugs and we offer entire home sanitation heat treatments. This safe, effective treatment is completed in less than 12 hours, and Bed Bug Barbeque, LLC offers a 60-day warranty for you to verify for yourself that your bed bugs are fully eradicated. Contact Bed Bug Barbeque, LLC today for a FREE quote at (216) 221-1227 or through our website, and check out our other bed bug informational resources on identification, prevention, and eradication.