Where to look for bed bugs in Kenya

Where to look for bed bugs in Kenya?

Bed bugs prefer to stay close to their food source (the human on a bed). Start your inspection at the bed and expand outwards:

The bed frame and mattress:
- Inspect all seams, beading, buttons and labels on the mattress.
- Dismantle bed frames to check cracks, holes and hidden corners underneath.
Furniture and furnishings:
- Check every hidden surface of drawers, cupboards and tables.
- Inspect picture frames, mirrors, blinds, curtains and books.
- Examine electrical sockets, light fittings and ceiling decorations.
Structural elements:
- Carefully check carpet edges and gaps between walls and floors.
High-risk zones:
- Don’t overlook kitchens and bathrooms; wandering bed bugs may harbour here, potentially seeding new infestations.
Adjacent units:
- Always inspect units directly above, below and on either side of an active infestation.

Locating Infestations in Kenya

Early detection is the most effective tool for preventing a small infestation from becoming a building-wide crisis. When surveying a unit, look for these key signs and indicators:

Live activity: The presence of live bed bugs (from tiny nymphs to adults), carcasses and cast skins.
Faecal Spots: Small, digested blood spots on furniture and bedding, ranging from cream to black in colour.
Blood stains: Small rust-coloured spots on bed sheets, often found near feeding sites.
Eggs: Cream-coloured eggs (approx. 1mm) hidden in seams and crevices.
Odour: A distinct, sweet, sickly smell often present in heavy infestations.
Professional inspection: For difficult cases, consider using professionally trained bedbug experts to locate harbourage points.