Can Rugs Have Bed Bugs?

Yes, rugs can have bed bugs. This isn’t what most people want to hear, but it’s important to know.

Bed bugs don’t just live in beds. They hide anywhere they can stay close to people. Rugs are perfect hiding spots.

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are tiny insects that feed on human blood. They’re about the size of an apple seed when fully grown.

They’re flat, brown, and oval-shaped. After they feed, they get bigger and more reddish.

Bed bugs come out at night to feed whilst you sleep. During the day, they hide in cracks and crevices.

They don’t fly, but they crawl quickly. They’re good at hiding and hard to spot.

Why Do Bed Bugs Like Rugs?

Rugs make excellent homes for bed bugs for several reasons.

They’re close to where people spend time. Bed bugs want to be near their food source – you.

Rugs have lots of hiding spots. The fibres, backing, and edges give bed bugs plenty of places to hide.

They’re dark and quiet. Bed bugs prefer dark, undisturbed places during the day.

Rugs collect human scent. Bed bugs are attracted to the smell of people, and rugs hold these scents.

They’re warm. Body heat and room temperature make rugs comfortable for bed bugs.

Where in Rugs Do Bed Bugs Hide?

Bed bugs are clever about where they hide in rugs.

Along the edges is the most common spot. They tuck themselves right where the rug meets the floor.

Under the rug is another favourite. They hide between the rug and the floor, or in the rug pad.

In thick pile rugs, they can burrow down into the fibres where it’s hard to see them.

Near furniture that touches the rug. They like spots where the sofa or bed leg meets the rug.

In folds or wrinkles if your rug has any creases or bent areas.

Signs of Bed Bugs in Rugs

Here’s what to look for if you think your rug might have bed bugs.

Dark spots that look like tiny ink stains. These are bed bug droppings.

Reddish stains from crushed bed bugs that have recently fed.

Sweet, musty smell in areas where bed bugs gather in large numbers.

Tiny blood spots on the rug from their feeding.

Small brown or black specks that might be bed bug shells or droppings.

Live bugs if you look carefully with a torch, especially along edges.

How Do Bed Bugs Get into Rugs?

Bed bugs don’t just appear in rugs. They come from somewhere.

From infested furniture that touches the rug. If your sofa has bed bugs, they can easily move to the rug.

From people’s clothing when someone sits or lies on the rug after being in an infested place.

From luggage placed on or near rugs after travel to infested places.

From second-hand items like furniture or other rugs that already have bed bugs.

From neighbouring flats in apartment buildings. Bed bugs can travel through walls and floors.

From visitors who unknowingly bring bed bugs in on their belongings.

What to Do If You Find Bed Bugs in Your Rug

Don’t panic, but do act quickly. Bed bugs multiply fast.

Don’t move the rug to another room. This just spreads the problem.

Vacuum thoroughly around and under the rug. Use a brush attachment to get into crevices.

Seal the vacuum bag immediately and throw it away in an outside bin.

Wash the rug if it’s machine washable. Use hot water and high heat in the dryer.

Steam clean if the rug can’t be washed. The heat kills bed bugs and eggs.

Call a professional pest control service. Bed bugs are hard to get rid of completely.

Can You Save an Infested Rug?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends on the rug and how bad the infestation is.

Small, washable rugs can often be saved. Hot water and high heat in the dryer kill bed bugs.

Large rugs are harder to treat. Professional cleaning might work, but it’s not guaranteed.

Expensive rugs are worth trying to save. Professional pest control and cleaning might work.

Heavily infested rugs might need to be thrown away. Sometimes it’s just not worth the risk.

Very old rugs that can’t handle heat treatment are difficult to save.

Heat Treatment for Rugs

Heat is the best way to kill bed bugs in rugs.

Washing in hot water (at least 60°C) kills all bed bugs and eggs.

Drying on high heat for at least 30 minutes also works.

Professional steam cleaning can reach the temperatures needed to kill bed bugs.

Heat chambers used by pest control professionals can treat large rugs.

Leaving rugs in a hot car might work in summer, but it’s not reliable.

What About Freezing?

Some people try freezing to kill bed bugs, but it’s tricky.

It needs to be very cold – at least -18°C for several days.

Home freezers often aren’t cold enough or big enough for rugs.

It takes a long time – at least four days at the right temperature.

It’s not as reliable as heat treatment.

Large rugs won’t fit in most home freezers anyway.

Preventing Bed Bugs in Rugs

Prevention is much easier than getting rid of bed bugs.

Check second-hand rugs carefully before bringing them home. Look for the signs we mentioned.

Be careful with luggage when you travel. Don’t put suitcases on rugs in hotel rooms.

Inspect regularly as part of your normal cleaning routine.

Vacuum regularly to remove any bed bugs before they can establish themselves.

Keep rugs away from beds if possible. Bed bugs prefer to stay close to where people sleep.

Seal cracks around the room where bed bugs might hide and move between areas.

Professional vs DIY Treatment

You need to decide whether to tackle bed bugs yourself or call professionals.

DIY works for small infestations caught early, especially on washable rugs.

Professional treatment is better for large infestations, expensive rugs, or if DIY hasn’t worked.

Professionals have better equipment, stronger treatments, and more experience.

DIY is cheaper but might not work completely, leading to bigger problems later.

Consider the cost of replacing the rug versus professional treatment.

Other Pests That Look Like Bed Bugs

Make sure you actually have bed bugs and not something else.

Carpet beetles are common in rugs but don’t bite people.

Fleas are smaller and jump, unlike bed bugs.

Spider beetles are rounder and don’t feed on blood.

Booklice are much smaller and eat organic matter, not blood.

If you’re not sure what you’re seeing, take a photo and show a pest control professional.

Cleaning After Bed Bug Treatment

Once you’ve dealt with bed bugs, clean thoroughly.

Vacuum everything multiple times over several weeks.

Wash all washable items in hot water.

Seal any cracks where bed bugs might have been hiding.

Monitor carefully for several months to make sure they don’t come back.

Keep records of what you did and when, in case the problem returns.

When to Replace Your Rug

Sometimes it’s better to just get a new rug.

If treatment fails repeatedly, replacement might be your only option.

If the rug is old and not valuable, replacement is often cheaper than treatment.

If you can’t treat it properly because of size or material, replacement makes sense.

If you just can’t feel comfortable with the rug anymore, your peace of mind matters.

When buying new, choose rugs from reputable retailers like The Rugs Collection to reduce the risk of getting bed bugs.

The Bottom Line

Bed bugs in rugs are a real problem, but it’s not the end of the world. The key is catching them early and acting quickly.

Regular cleaning and inspection help prevent problems. If you do find bed bugs, don’t try to handle a large infestation yourself. Professional help is worth the cost.

Remember, bed bugs aren’t a sign of poor cleanliness. They can happen to anyone. The important thing is dealing with them properly when they do appear.

With the right approach, you can get rid of bed bugs and get back to enjoying your rugs safely.