Bed bugs are infamous for hiding out inside mattresses, bedsheets, couches, and luggage. It is from these hiding spots that they monitor the nearby area for potential blood meals, which they can detect from the CO2 and warmth emitted from human bodies. However, bed bugs are also capable of hiding in a number of unexpected places, like the cracks and crevices of a lamp, on stuffed animals, and yes, even electronics.

Adult bed bugs have flat bodies and grow to be just one-sixth of an inch in length. Their flat physique makes it easy for them to hide within tiny gaps and openings found on laptops, computer monitors, TV screens, and gaming consoles. Fortunately, the presence of bed bugs in electronics is rare, and usually only occurs when the electronics have had close contact with bed bug-infested fabrics or the bed bug infestation is extreme. And while these electronics may provide temporary shelter for bed bugs, eventually, these pests will seek out a blood meal, which happens to be humans. Nevertheless, it’s still possible for household electronics to host living bed bugs between feedings. If you suspect that your home is facing a bed bug infestation, consider following these tips f or when you find bed bugs in your electronics.

What To Do if You Have Bed Bugs in Your Electronics

Know Which Devices are Most at Risk

Bed bugs are more likely to inhabit electronics that are near resting areas. Ventilation openings and ports found on most computers are large enough for bed bugs to crawl into, and the consistent warmth is an appealing point for bed bugs looking for shelter. Ultimately, the electronics that are most likely to host bed bugs are alarm clocks and bedroom speakers. With close access to bedding, mattresses, and other furniture, these devices should be the first things checked if you suspect you’re hosting a bed bug infestation.

Avoid Applying Typical Bed Bug Treatments

When bed bugs are infesting your home, a variety of chemical and non-chemical treatments can be effective. But because these treatments often require heat or freezing temperatures, they can be damaging to your functioning electronics. Visible bed bugs must first be removed with a vacuum, with the bag or container removed, cleaned, and dumped into an exterior trash can. then It’s difficult to treat early ins tar nymphs and eggs due to their size, they must be exposed to temperatures higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower than 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Allowing electronics to be exposed to these treatment s may cause irreparable damage to the devices.

Proper Storage of De-infested Items

Bed bugs can only live a few months without a meal. When bed bugs are found on items that are not needed over the course of ten months, these items can be bagged in a heavy-duty garbage bag that remains tightly sealed, and stored for at least ten months. If you’ve dried or removed bed bugs from an item, it is strongly recommended that all items that have been de-infested be stored in sealed storage bins to prevent them from becoming re-infested.

Call a Professional

A Terminix professional can help you determine if your devices are hosting these pests. First, they will walk you through the common symptoms and signs of bed bugs, which include the presence of red bites on the skin, shed exoskeletons that have a light-brown tinge, as well as dark-brown bed bug droppings appearing on your electronics, clothes, and furniture. Next, the technician will inspect your home for living populations of these pests to determine how widespread the infestation has become. Finally, the technician will recommend a customized treatment plan that will help get rid of bed bugs as quickly as possible.

Finding bed bugs in electronics is rare, but not impossible. If yo u notice that there are bed bugs living inside your electronics, it’s likely a sign that your home is hosting a larger and more severe bed bug infestation. Schedule a Free Inspection with Terminix to learn more about our bed bug treatment plans available in the industry.

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