We’ve talked in various Bed Bug articles about how easy it is to contract Bed Bugs into your home, and also how many of the stereotypes about Bed Bugs just are not valid. These include where they come from, they are related to hygiene, and other common myths. The truth is that more people than you might think to end up with a bed bug problem in their homes, and the bad news is that it usually takes a professional to actually eliminate them for good.
Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?
Here are the most common ways in which bed bugs can be transmitted:
- Hitchhiking: Bed bugs are skilled hitchhikers. They can easily cling to clothing, luggage, bags, or other personal items. If you come into contact with infested furniture, bedding, or clothing, bed bugs can latch onto your belongings and be transported to new locations, such as your home, a hotel, or a friend’s house.
- Infested Furniture or Bedding: Secondhand furniture, mattresses, or upholstered items that are infested with bed bugs can introduce pests into your home. If you acquire used items without proper inspection or treatment, you may unknowingly bring bed bugs into your living space.
- Travel: Traveling can increase the risk of encountering bed bugs. They can be found in hotels, motels, hostels, and even public transportation. Bed bugs can hide in luggage or attach themselves to your clothing during your stay and accompany you back to your home.
- Adjacent Infestations: In multi-unit buildings, such as apartments, condos, or hotels, bed bugs can move between units through walls, electrical outlets, pipes, or shared spaces. If one unit becomes infested, the bed bugs can quickly spread to neighboring units.
- Visitors and Guests: If someone with a bed bug infestation visits your home or stays overnight, they can inadvertently bring bed bugs. Bed bugs can crawl onto their clothing or belongings, and when they leave, the bed bugs may remain behind in your home.
- Public Spaces: While rare, bed bugs can occasionally be found in public places like movie theaters, libraries, offices, or retail stores. If you come into contact with infested seating or items in these locations, bed bugs can hitch a ride back to your home.
It’s important to note that bed bugs do not jump or fly but crawl relatively quickly. Taking preventive measures, such as inspecting hotel rooms when traveling, regularly checking for signs of bed bugs in your home, and being cautious with secondhand items, can help minimize the risk of infestations.
Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?
What we recommend is to call us immediately, and we’ll come to your home free of charge to assess the severity of your bed bug problem. The pros at Results Pest & Termite can give you a detailed breakdown of where the infestation is and how quickly we can treat it. Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to get rid of because of their egg and breeding cycles, and in most cases when a home owner tries to DIY the problem away, they find that the bed bugs are back weeks later. Take it from us, this is one problem you don’t want to do yourself!