Itchy Seats? Get to Know the Common Pests That May Be Hiding In Your Sofa
Most homeowners would probably agree that work is never done at home. One day, it may be a leaky faucet and on another, an infestation of pests.
No matter how you keep your house clean, it can remain vulnerable to pest invasion. Some pests look for shelter while others look for food. But, either way, they can cause a lot of trouble in many parts of your home. There’s your bed, the cupboards, not to mention, your sofa.
The truth is, the same sofa where you watch TV and take naps is often the same place where pests such as bed bugs, fleas, carpet beetles, and dust mites can crash on. As a professional sofa cleaning services provider in Singapore, we take a closer look at these bugs and the signs that they might be on your sofas.
Bed Bugs
Out of all the household pests that might take refuge in your sofa, bed bugs are, by far, the worst kind. These parasites are flat, oval, reddish-brown insects that feed on your blood to grow. They are about a quarter-inch long, a feature that allows them to slip through extremely tight areas such as the seams in your sofa.
Signs of Bed Bugs
If you wake up with red spots on your skin, you may have to test for bed bugs. Other signs of bed bug infestation include:
Black spots – These spots are actually bed bug wastes. They appear like thin black streaks and are typically found on upholstered furniture.
Moulted skins – These signs are an indication that the bed bugs have already reached full maturity and are already multiplying.
Bloodstains – dried up bloodstains, on the other hand, are possible signs of feedings and are often found on the fabrics of your sofa.
Bed bug eggs – these eggs are milky white and about half the size of a rice grain. These are often tucked in hidden folds where they’re safe.
Fleas
Aside from bed bugs, sofas can also host fleas. These pests are small, wingless pests that grow up to a ⅛ inch in length and feed on mammal blood. Although they are mostly regarded as a threat to dogs and other pets, fleas can also infect humans almost as quickly. If you have dogs, the chance of fleas getting into your furniture is high.
Signs of Fleas
You’ll know you have fleas at home if you see them jumping about on your sofa. They also leave behind wastes, which are reddish-brown in colour, in places where they hide. Small, itchy bumps on the skin, particularly on the lower legs and ankles may also be a sign of pest infestation at home.
On the other hand, individuals allergic to flea bites might also experience hives or rash after 12-24 hours of being bitten.
Carpet Beetles
There’s a good chance you’ve seen a carpet beetle before, only you didn’t know what it was. These pests are usually black in colour with mottled white or yellow markings and can reach an average of a ⅛ inch in length. Although they don’t feed on blood from human or pets, carpet beetles consume keratin, which is the primary protein found in fur, feathers, and hair.
Signs of Carpet Beetles
When you suspect carpet beetles, search for small holes in the fabric of your sofa. It may indicate that the pests are eating through your upholstery. You can also search for them in areas where fur tends to accumulate, particularly beneath the furniture and under the cushions. Also look for the brown, bristly skins that carpet beetles shed when moulting.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are another type of insect that you may find in your sofa. The problem with dust mites is that they’re microscopic and when inhaled, they can cause respiratory issues, particularly if you suffer from asthma or other allergies.
Signs of Dust Mites
Because dust mites feed on dead skin and pet fur, they tend to gather in places where you and your pets rest, with your sofa included. However, because they’re too small to see with the naked eye, you’re most likely to realise a dust mite infestation only when a family member starts to suffer from symptoms such as:
- coughing or wheezing
- sneezing
- sinus pain
- sore throat
- watery or itchy eyes
- headache
- rashes
Although pest infestation is troublesome, you can minimise its risks by cleaning your sofa on a regular basis. In worse situations, however, it would be best if you call for a professional cleaning service company in Singapore.
