
Bed bugs aren’t just found in your mattress, they can also live in your furniture. Whether your favorite spot on the couch is upholstered, leather, or wicker, bed bugs will hide anywhere they can to stay close to their food source, which is you. Keep reading to discover the signs of bed bugs and what to do about bed bugs in your couch.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in the Couch
Bed bugs are highly adapted to hiding in tight spaces. Crevices, seams, and along the zippers of cushions are all places where bed bugs can hide in couches and chairs. An effective way to get rid of them is by using a vacuum to remove bugs that are visible and then a steam cleaner, as high heat kills bed bugs and their eggs.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to eliminate bed bugs from your couch:

- Vacuum the entire couch, paying attention to all crevices and seams, including the underside of the couch. If you have a dust cover on the bottom of your couch, remove it to use the vacuum to get rid of bed bugs hiding underneath.
- After vacuuming, seal the vacuumed contents in a plastic bag and dispose of it in an outdoor garbage can.
- Wrap a microfiber cloth around a pin-point nozzle on the steamer, and secure it with rubber bands. This will increase the temperature and help control the pressure from the steamer. You can also use the triangle attachment if you don’t have a pin-point nozzle.
- Steam clean your couch using the high-temperature setting. Steam will kill the bed bugs and their eggs. Ensure you cover every seam, zipper, and crevice in the couch. Ensure you go slowly, about 1 to 2.5 inches per second.
- Allow your couch to dry. It will take a few hours for your couch to dry fully, but you can use fans to speed up the process.
- Consider applying a residual bed bug insecticide to your couch. Follow the instructions and precautions to protect yourself, your family, and your pets.
- Place pitfall traps or interceptor traps for bed bugs under the legs of your couch. Typically, interceptor cups are made of a plastic dish that fits under furniture legs with an outside “moat” that holds bed bugs so they can’t climb up onto your couch.
What Bed Bugs Look Like
Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown parasites that are often mistaken for other insects, such as fleas and ticks. They can’t fly, but they are excellent hitchhikers and hide in the smallest gaps near areas where people sleep or sit, such as your favorite spot to relax.
Knowing what bed bugs look like will help you identify the problem:
- Adult bed bugs are oval-shaped insects with a red-brown color. Moreover, they are about the size of an apple seed and become swollen after feeding on blood.
- Bed bug nymphs are translucent or pale yellow and are miniature versions of the adults. After hatching, nymphs will feed and then molt five times before reaching adulthood.
- Bed bug eggs are small, about the size of a pinhead, and are white or cream-colored. These eggs will hatch in 6 to 10 days.
Signs of Bed Bugs in Your Couch

Bed bugs can be hard to find, as they are masters at hide-and-seek and most active at night while we’re sleeping. While you may not immediately spot a bed bug, there are things you should watch out for, including:
- Small dark spots
- Shed or molted skins
- Tiny blood stains
- Sweet, musty odor
How to Check for Bed Bugs in a Couch
Check under the cushions, in the seams, and along the edges of zippers for any signs of bed bugs. In addition, pay close attention to cracks and crevices where they can hide. If you find any signs of bed bugs, consider contacting a professional bed bug exterminator to ensure they haven’t infested other areas of your home.
To check for bed bugs in your couch, follow these steps:
- Wear rubber or nitrile gloves to protect your hands.
- Use a flashlight to inspect the tufts, crevices, and seams of the couch.
- With a credit card or something similar, scrape along the crevices to dislodge any bed bugs or eggs.
- Use a magnifying glass to closely examine any suspicious spots or debris.
- Look for live bed bugs, bed bug eggs, molted skins, or dark spots.
How to Dispose of a Couch with Bed Bugs

If you decide to discard your couch and it has bed bugs, there are a few steps you should take. In many places, like New York City, you’re required by law to seal any furniture infested with bed bugs in plastic to prevent these pests from spreading.
Here’s how to dispose of a couch infested with bed bugs:
- Cut or deface: To discourage someone from taking the infested couch into their home, consider damaging it by cutting the fabric and cushions or applying spray paint.
- Wrap in plastic: Before disposing of the couch, wrap it in heavy-duty plastic and secure it with duct tape. Do this before moving the couch to prevent spreading the bed bugs in your home.
- Clearly label: Attach a sign that states that the couch is infested with bed bugs and shouldn’t be taken.
- Schedule pickup: Contact your local sanitation or waste management service to pick it up, or hire a junk removal service to remove it. Notify them that the couch is infested with bed bugs when scheduling. Do not donate infested items.
- Vacuum and steam: Vacuum and steam clean the area where the couch was to catch any bed bugs or eggs that fell off. Seal the contents of the vacuum in a plastic bag and dispose of it in an outside trash can. Clean the vacuum thoroughly with hot soapy water.
FAQ: Bed Bugs
Can Bed Bugs Live in a Leather Couch?
Yes, bed bugs can live on a leather couch. Bed bugs aren’t limited to mattresses; they can infest various types of furniture including leather couches, which have plenty of cracks and crevices where bed bugs can hide.
Can Bed Bugs Infest Wicker Furniture?
Yes, bed bugs can infest the weave of wicker and rattan furniture. The tight weave makes them especially difficult to remove, and steam cleaning can damage the wicker. It is recommended that you have a professional treat the furniture or dispose of wicker items that have been infested with bed bugs.
How Did I Get Bed Bugs in My Couch?
There are several ways for how bed bugs get in your home. It is possible that the bed bugs entered your home and couch through infested second-hand items like furniture or clothing or on your luggage while traveling.
Bed bugs can also hitch a ride on visitors who may unknowingly bring them into your home. Always check used items and hotel rooms to prevent bed bugs from getting in.
When to Call a Pro
Discovering bed bugs on your couch is unnerving, and removing them can be a nightmare. If your DIY treatments haven’t worked, it’s essential to consult a pro. You can sleep tight knowing the bed bugs won’t bite when you hire a local bed bug control service to eliminate a bed bug infestation.
Main Image Credits:
Background: pixelshot / Canva Pro / License
Bed bug: dblight / Canva Pro / License