Everything to Know About Bed Bugs in New Jersey

aerial view of new jersey with bed bug image over it

New Jersey faces a high risk of bed bug infestations due to frequent travel through international airports in Atlantic City and Newark and to tourist destinations along the Jersey Shore, like Wildwood. It’s crucial to take action to stop them from spreading, so here’s everything you need to know about bed bugs in New Jersey.

Bed bugs are small parasites that feed on blood, causing itching and allergic reactions in some people. New Jersey’s dense population and close living conditions in apartment buildings and condos put the state at risk. These conditions make it easier for bed bugs to move between places, increasing the chances of infestations.

How to Identify Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small and very good at hiding. The adults are no bigger than an apple seed and can easily be confused with other bugs that look like bed bugs

Here’s what bed bugs look like:

  • Adult bed bugs are as big as apple seeds and are reddish-brown. They’re typically flat but swell after feeding on blood.
  • Nymphs, or young bed bugs, look similar to the adults but are smaller and lighter, either tan or translucent. They molt five times before becoming adults.
  • Bed bug eggs are tiny, approximately the size of a pinhead, and white. In addition, these bed bug eggs are sticky, adhere to surfaces, and are typically clustered in groups.

Signs of Bed Bugs

bed bug feces over a baseboard
Photo Credit: NY State IPM Program at Cornell University / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Given their elusive nature and small size, recognizing the signs of an infestation is essential to early detection and eradication. Keep an eye out for signs of bed bugs, including:

  • Bite marks: You may notice raised welts on your skin from bed bug bites, especially where your body touches the bed, like your legs or neck. 
  • Blood stains: Your sheets, your couch, and the mattress may have small red spots or smears on them.
  • Dark spots: Bed bug feces can leave dark patches on fabric. These are usually found around the edges of chair cushions and mattresses.
  • Musty smell: The pheromones released by bed bugs can create a sweet, musty odor.
  • Shed skins: Bed bugs shed their exoskeletons as they grow.
  • Live bed bugs: You can be certain that bed bugs have invaded your home if you find living bed bugs crawling around.

How to Check for Bed Bugs

Bed bugs can hide in very small spaces, making them difficult to find. They prefer warm areas close to their food source, aka blood. So, check for bed bugs in couches, chairs, and beds. They can also hide in curtains, electrical outlets, and clothing.

  • Use a flashlight to inspect the seams of your mattress and cushions for signs of bed bugs.
  • Use a credit card or similar tool to scrape along hard-to-see areas to dislodge bed bugs and their eggs.
  • Use a magnifying glass to more easily see the tiny eggs or nymphs.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in New Jersey

pile of diatomaceous earth
Photo Credit: SprocketRocket / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 1.0

Even the cleanest houses can fall prey to bed bugs. These pests can latch onto your clothing, luggage, or used items and even infest your car. Their ability to spread to public places like movie theaters and public transit makes bed bugs particularly hard to eradicate.

In New Jersey, you can try the following DIY methods to get rid of bed bugs naturally:

  • Declutter: Even though bed bugs aren’t attracted to dirt, they can easily hide in clutter. So, removing piles of clothes and other items will help detect and remove the infestation.
  • Diatomaceous earth: To kill bed bugs, sprinkle this natural power along baseboards and under furniture. Diatomaceous earth dehydrates and kills these parasites by damaging their exoskeletons.
  • Encase beds: Box springs and mattresses can be protected from bed bugs with zippered mattress covers that trap and kill live ones while preventing new bed bugs from moving in.
modern washing machine in laundry room
Photo Credit: pixelshot / Canva Pro / License
  • Laundry: Bed bugs are killed by high heat. Because bed bugs and their eggs cannot withstand temperatures above 125 degrees Fahrenheit, they can be eliminated by washing bedding, clothes, and other fabrics in hot water and drying them on high heat.
  • Essential oils: Certain essential oils, such as cinnamon oil, clove oil, and blood orange oil, can repel bed bugs and disrupt their lifecycle. Many natural bed bug sprays use essential oils as their main ingredients to effectively kill the nymphs.
  • Vacuum: Thoroughly vacuum infested spaces to collect bed bugs and their eggs. Pay attention to seams and crevices of your home’s furniture to grab any pests that are hiding. Your couch, bed frame, and baseboard gaps are all potential hiding spots. Empty the vacuum contents into a sealable plastic bag and immediately throw it away in the outside garbage.
steam coming out of the steam cleaner
Photo Credit: SaevichMikalai / Canva Pro / License
  • Steam clean: Bed bugs can be killed using steam. To eliminate both the eggs and the bugs, steam clean the seams, nooks, and crannies of your mattress, furniture, and other infested areas.
  • Freezing: Bed bugs can’t survive extreme cold. Seal smaller items in a bag and put them in a freezer for at least three days to kill them and their eggs.

Bed Bug Laws in New Jersey

The New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C. 5:10-10.2) mandates that landlords are responsible for bed bugs in the Garden State. When a tenant reports a bed bug infestation, the landlord must hire a certified exterminator to address the infestation, regardless of how the bed bug infestation occurred.  

Renters are responsible for reporting any signs of bed bugs promptly. They are also required to help in the extermination process by following the guidelines set up by the bed bug removal company, preparing their home for treatment, and, if necessary, discarding infested items.

When landlords disregard bed bug infestations, they can be fined. If the problem continues, tenants may be able to terminate their lease or withhold payment. It is usually advised that tenants keep a record of any correspondence about the infestation and, if needed, seek legal advice.

Note: There may be exceptions to the information above. For example, laws for renters in single-family homes may be different from laws for renters in multi-family housing. Consulting a legal professional is always recommended.

Bed Bugs in New Jersey Hotels

inspector looking for bed bugs in a mattress
Photo Credit: AndreyPopov / Canva Pro / License

Taking a vacation to the beach in Brick or heading to Jersey City for business should be an enjoyable experience, but discovering bed bugs in your hotel room can quickly sour your plans. In New Jersey, hotels are required by law to provide clean and safe accommodations for their guests and ensure the rooms are bed bug-free.

It’s recommended that you check online bed bug reports before booking your travel arrangements. When you’re staying at a hotel, it’s a good practice to inspect the hotel room before settling in, and if you discover bed bugs, immediately report it to hotel management.

Use the following tips to prevent bed bugs while traveling:

  • Protect your bags by setting them in the bathroom, preferably in a dry bathtub, while you check your room. 
  • Use hardside luggage as it’s more difficult for bed bugs to attach to it. Keep your bags zipped up to keep these parasites out.
  • Use luggage racks to keep bags off the floor and furniture to prevent getting bed bugs in your luggage.
  • Bring a flashlight and inspect the mattress, bed frame, and furniture for signs of bed bugs.
  • Store clothes in resealable plastic bags to create a barrier. Keep used clothing sealed in bags as well, in case bed bugs do get on them, to keep them from spreading. 
  • Wash clothes in hot water and dry on high heat as soon as possible when you get home to kill any bugs or eggs that you may have come in contact with.

FAQ: Bed Bugs

Can Pets Carry Bed Bugs?

Yes, pets can carry bed bugs. While they don’t prefer to feed on household pets, bed bugs will hitch a ride on their fur into your home. So, regularly inspect and clean pet bedding, toys, and leashes to keep bed bugs at bay.

Do Bed Bugs Hibernate?

Bed bugs can become dormant, but they do not hibernate. If they lack a blood source, bed bugs can enter diapause, where their metabolism slows down and they become dormant. Bed bugs can go months without food, so you can’t just wait them out. 

Do Bed Bugs Jump?

No, bed bugs don’t jump. They are fast crawlers, and thanks to their claw-tipped legs, they can easily cling to fabrics. While they do have vestigial wings, bed bugs can’t fly.

When to Call a Pro

If DIY remedies aren’t working to get rid of the bed bug infestation in your New Jersey home, it’s time to hire a local bed bug expert. They possess the tools and knowledge necessary to successfully eradicate an infestation and spare you from a bed bug invasion.

Main Image Credits:
Background: SeanPavonePhoto / Canva Pro / License
Bed Bug: Mainely Photos / Canva Pro / License

Raven Wisdom

Raven Wisdom is a writer with a passion for pest control, gardening, sustainable living, and making a positive impact in the world. When she's not defending her garden from critters in the wilds of West Texas, Raven can be found writing, wrangling two kids in a neurodivergent family, and supporting her local animal rescues.