This document is not final and is subject to change.
Nightstand, dressers or wardrobes with clothing and personal items, kitchen/office or folding chairs, tables, consoles, book shelves, desks, entertainment centers
Inspection
Inspect joints and seams where two components attach. Bed bugs can also hide beneath laminate coatings on some furniture, especially when it peels away from the composite material. Remove all drawers and inspect corners/joints. (Learn more about inspection).
Preferred Control Method
Isolation
To prevent spreading bed bugs, especially in storage furniture, place a white sheet under or in front of the furniture. Remove items and inspect/treat them as described in other sections of this document. Put clothing in a sealed plastic bag before moving, or treating items on the white sheet next to furniture. After all items have been removed, inspect/treat the furniture as described in other sections of this document. (Learn more about isolation).
Hand Wash
Be careful not to stain wood finishes with water. (Learn more about hand wash).
Other Control Options
Vacuum
Use of a vacuum alone may not be sufficient to remove bed bugs hiding in crack and crevices. However, this technique can be combined with using a hair dryer. (Learn more about vacuuming).
Heat
Hair dryer or space heating. Use a hair dryer to blow hot air into cracks and crevices to flush bed bugs, and use the crevice tool on a vacuum cleaner to suck them up. Space heating is a good option when done thoroughly or professionally. (Learn more about heat).
Desiccant dusts
See this section for specific instructions. Always read and follow the label instructions. (Learn more about desiccant dust)
Not Recommended - Steam, Freeze
Updated 5/22/2025