Ever settled down with a good book in your favorite armchair only to feel something wriggle under you? It’s quite an unnerving situation. You may even be reclining on your deep-seat sofa and notice something crawling across the armrest: insect pests.
Upholstery pests are a problem that should be dealt with quickly. But how do you get rid of insect pests in your upholstered furniture?
Luckily, I’ve found the best methods to do just that, and you can start right now!
It’s unpleasant but common to find bugs crawling on your couch. Couches provide everything insects need – food scraps, darkness, and proximity to humans. While disconcerting, most couch bugs are harmless nuisances. However, some can bite, damage furniture, or indicate larger infestations.
Knowing which bugs are likely to infest your couch and their habits will help you remove them and prevent future invasions With some cleaning, maintenance, and pest control, you can keep your couch pest-free
Common Couch Bugs and Signs of Infestations
Here are some of the most frequent couch bugs and what to look for:
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs feed solely on blood and live near sleeping humans. Check for small red-brown spots, their molted skins, eggs, or the bugs themselves hiding in crevices. Their bites often occur in lines.
Carpet Beetles
Varied carpet beetles eat natural fibers and are attracted to wool and cotton couches. Look for damaged fabric, shed skins fecal pellets and the 1 mm black beetles themselves. They don’t bite.
Fleas
Fleas jump and feed on human and pet blood. Look for small black flea dirt (feces), bites on legs, and fleas emerging when vacuuming. Pets may also have fleas and scratches.
Ants
Ants forage for sugary spills or pet food leftovers. Seek trails of small black, red, or yellow ants coming from cracks or going to food sources. Certain sweet foods left out attract them.
Cockroaches
Roaches seek food spills and humidity. See large 1 inch long brown roaches, especially at night. They indicate larger infestations in walls and kitchens.
Spiders
Some harmless spiders live behind couches, but some bite. Look for webs and egg sacs attached to the couch. Bites are rare but can happen indoors.
Dust Mites
Microscopic mites are too small to see. Symptoms of allergies like coughing and sneezing after sitting on a couch may indicate their presence. They thrive in humidity and dust.
Lice
Lice attach to human heads but can crawl onto couches. Close head inspections will reveal the parasites. Finding them on a couch often means they’re already on a person.
How to Remove Bugs from Your Couch
If you discover pests on your couch, here are some effective DIY removal methods before calling an exterminator:
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Vacuum thoroughly – Use a hose attachment to vacuum all crevices, underneath, and around the couch to remove bugs, eggs, hairs, and debris. Repeat daily.
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Use insecticidal sprays – For large infestations, apply pest control sprays designed for that specific pest. Follow all label directions carefully.
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Try diatomaceous earth – Sprinkle this abrasive powder in crevices and under cushions to shred and dehydrate insects. Let sit before vacuuming up.
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Remove and wash all cushions, blankets – Machine wash all removable couch covers on the hottest setting safe for that fabric. Tumble dry on high heat.
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Steam clean – For severe infestations, use a steam cleaner to kill bugs and eggs hiding in crevices and fabric pores.
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Seal openings – Caulk and seal any openings in walls, floors, and ceilings surrounding the couch so pests can’t access or escape treatment.
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Discard seriously infested couches – If bugs have severely damaged and penetrated a couch, disposal may be required. Wrap in plastic before removing to contain bugs.
Preventing Future Couch Bug Problems
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to couch insects. Here are some key ways to discourage pests:
- Vacuum and steam clean couches weekly.
- Don’t eat or keep open food on couches. Clean spills immediately.
- Keep pet foods and bowls away from couches.
- Lower humidity with dehumidifiers, fans, and air conditioning.
- Fill any gaps in walls, floors, windows, and doors with sealant.
- Inspect plants, luggage, and clothing for hitchhiking pests.
- Treat pets regularly for fleas and ticks.
- Arrange furniture to allow cleaning access behind and underneath.
- Keep plants and vegetation well-trimmed outside.
- Store fabrics and textiles in sealed plastic containers.
- Routinely launder pillows and blankets on high heat.
Finding the occasional bug on your couch isn’t cause for alarm. Practicing good household hygiene and responding promptly at the first signs of infestations will help ensure your couch doesn’t become a haven for household pests. With preventative measures, quick interventions, and regular monitoring, your furniture can remain pest-free.
Where Do Furniture Bugs Come From?
While these pests might not fully appreciate a comfy reclining chair, they still make the most of all the amenities that homes have to offer. In particular, carpets serve as shelter and even food for some living room bugs like dust mites and beetles. Living rooms also typically have greater accessibility for pests compared to other parts of the house. They are usually located on the first floor and near the front door, and also tend to have multiple windows that provide numerous entry points for pests. Additionally, living rooms accommodate a great deal of foot traffic compared to other rooms, giving any hitchhiking bugs ample opportunities to make their way into the home. When it comes to the bedroom, most insects are less concerned with the quality of the mattress, and instead are more attracted to the person or pet lying in the bed. As such, bedrooms provide an ideal environment for pests, as they give them regular access to a food source – humans – as well as ample hiding spots in bed seams and layers of sheets.
4 Steps of How to Get Rid of Upholstery Pests
When insect pests and other bugs have burrowed into your furniture and your life, it may seem like some gasoline and matches are the only solution. Don’t despair; it is possible to save your furniture and upholstery.
How to Get Rid Of Bed Bugs on Couches and Furniture
FAQ
What are these little bugs on my couch?
Bed bugs are a common culprit, but there are other insects that think your couch is the perfect place to relax and unwind. These include fleas, dust mites, and carpet beetles.
How do I get bugs out of my couch?
Heat: After vacuuming each cushion and the furniture frame, there are several options to help ensure that you’ve captured every bedbug. Put cushions in a large, sealable plastic bag and place them in direct sunlight until the temperature reaches 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat will kill all bedbug stages.
What do couch mites look like on a couch?
Couch mites are incredibly small, making them nearly invisible to the naked eye. These arachnids measure just about 0.2 millimeters, which is roughly the size of a grain of sand. Their tiny stature can make them challenging to identify directly.
Can sofas have bugs?
Yes, bed bugs can live in your couch, the same way they live in your bed. If they have easy access to human flesh they can hide out in the cracks and crevices of furniture until it is time to feast.