Bed Bugs in Leather Furniture

by Cathy
(New York City)

Can bed bugs live in leather furniture? I often sleep in the living room (I have a leather recliner and sofa) and lately have been getting mosquito like bites on my feet and legs. I saw a bug this morning for the first time and killed it before I could inspect it. What was left of the shell had brown stripes. Does this resemble a bed bug? If so how do I treat the leather furniture? Thanks in advance for your help!

Editor Comment - Can you find bed bugs in leather furniture

Bed bugs can live in various types of furniture, including leather. However, it's not common for bed bugs to live in leather, as they typically prefer soft, porous materials like fabric and wood. The bites you describe on your feet and legs could be from bed bugs, but they could also be from other insects, such as mosquitoes or fleas. Bed bugs tend to not bite the bottoms of the feet, so if you see bites there, it is probably not bed bugs.

To determine if you have a bed bug infestation, you should inspect your furniture look for signs of bed bugs, such as small reddish-brown insects, tiny white eggs, or small black or rust-colored fecal spots.

If you confirm that you have a bed bug infestation, it's important to take steps to treat it as soon as possible, as bed bugs can quickly spread throughout your home. To treat leather furniture, you should vacuum the furniture thoroughly and use a stiff brush to scrub all surfaces. You can then treat the leather with an insecticide that is safe for use on leather, or hire a professional pest control service to handle the treatment.

Keep in mind that bed bugs are very difficult to eliminate, and a single treatment may not be enough to get rid of the problem. You may need to repeat the treatment several times, and you may also need to take steps to eliminate bed bugs from other areas of your home, such as your bedding and clothing.