Detecting a bed bug infestation in furniture can be tricky, considering the pests are small and hard to spot. The best way to check is to scour the furnishing thoroughly for telltale signs of an infestation, such as shed skins and exoskeletons like poppy seeds, dark brown fecal spots with a pungent odor, or live bed bugs in crevices and corners. If you notice any rashes, welts or other symptoms after coming into contact with the furniture that could indicate an allergic reaction to bed bug bites, it's best to also conduct an inspection.

If you do find evidence of a problem, there are some steps you can follow immediately: Vacuuming your furniture is essential for removing any bed bugs or eggs; launder all items that touched the piece of furniture in hot water (at least 120°F/50°C) and dry on highest heat setting to eliminate any remaining bugs; and consider purchasing mattress encasements, interceptors or traps so they can capture bed bugs before they have time to spread. In cases of more severe infestations, it's best to hire a professional exterminator who is trained in dealing with these types of situations. Once pest removal has been taken care of, keep monitoring the furniture for several weeks or months afterwards just to make sure no more infestations occur.

Identifying bed bugs in furniture isn't always easy-they hide deep within crevices and seams, making them difficult to spot. To identify a potential infestation, look for: shed skins and exoskeletons the size of poppy seeds; dark brown fecal spots with a musty smell; and actual bed bugs crawling on or near mattresses, bedding and furniture.

You may also experience physical symptoms such as rashes, welts or bites which can indicate an infestation. An effective way to check is to vacuum all crevices and seams of the furniture with a specialized attachment. Afterwards, launder all items that came into contact with the furniture using hot water and then dry on highest heat setting to kill any remaining bugs.

If you think your home may be heavily infested with bed bugs, consider calling a professional exterminator to inspect the premises and possibly replace items if needed. If the infestation is severe enough they may suggest insecticide spray as a last resort; however, this should only be used after other treatments have been tried first. As you treat your furniture for any signs of bed bug presence make sure to vacuum all cracks and crevices in it to prevent further spread of these pests. You should also seal your mattress in an encasement-this will trap any existing bed bugs inside while preventing new ones from getting in contact with it. Additionally, keep suspected-infested items in sealed plastic bags before disposing them off your property so no insects can be passed onto other households or locations.

By following these steps you can take preventive measures against spreading bed bug infestations within your home's furniture: move furniture away from walls & other objects; regularly inspect mattresses, bedding & furniture for signs of an infestation; use multiple treatments over time (e.g., vacuuming plus insecticide spray). Taking proactive steps like these can help identify potential risks early on while avoiding more costly solutions like replacing your mattress down the road if an infestation spreads throughout furnishings unchecked.