Bed bugs are one of the most common household pests in the United States. These small, wingless insects feed on human blood and can cause a number of health problems.
Unfortunately, bed bugs spread rapidly and can be difficult to eliminate.
The most common way is through human travel. Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers and will readily attach themselves to clothing, luggage, or other personal belongings.
Bed bugs can also be transmitted through used furniture or bedding.
Different Ways Bed Bugs Spread Inside the Home
Although bed bugs are commonly associated with mattresses and bedding, these pests can actually spread throughout the entire home.
Here are some of the most common ways bed bugs spread from room to room:
Human Contact
We may not realize it, but we humans are quite adept at spreading bed bugs. Bed bugs attach themselves to our clothing and belongings and then hitch a ride to other rooms or even other homes.
If you’re a frequent traveler, you may have unknowingly brought bed bugs into your home from a hotel room or other location.
This is why it’s crucial that you inspect your luggage carefully when returning from a trip.
Checking the room and bed for signs of bed bugs while staying in a hotel can also help prevent you from bringing these pests home with you.
Originally brown in color, bed bugs often turn to a bright orange or red after feeding on human blood. Although small, they can be seen by the naked eye and are usually found in groups.
Used Furniture
If you have recently purchased used furniture or received hand-me-downs from friends or family, you could be at risk for a bed bug infestation.
These pests often hide in the cracks and crevices of furniture, making them difficult to spot.
Animals
This might come as a shock, but even our beloved pets can spread bed bugs. If your pet has been in contact with an infested area, there’s a chance they could bring bed bugs inside your home through their fur.
For instance, if they’ve been playing on a carpet with bed bugs, or sleeping in an infested bed, they could spread these nasty bugs throughout the house, leaving traces where they often stay or hide.
Carpets and Rugs
Another common way bed bugs spread is by hiding in carpets and rugs. These insects often lay their eggs on these soft surfaces, making them a prime breeding ground for new infestations.
You can prevent the spread of bed bugs by regularly vacuuming your carpets and rugs. Dispose of the vacuum bag after every use – don’t use it again until you’ve replaced it. This way, you can be sure you’re not inadvertently spreading bed bugs around your home.
Crawling
Unlike other pests, bed bugs don’t have wings. But this doesn’t mean they can’t move from one place to another.
If a part of your home already has these bugs, there’s a better chance of them crawling from one room to another, laying eggs in certain areas,
Bed bugs also like to travel through pipes and cracks in walls. This is why it’s important to check these areas for any signs of an infestation.
If you find bed bugs in one room, chances are they’ve already spread to other parts of the house.
Do Bed Bugs Spread Quickly?
While bed bugs don’t have wings, they can crawl and spread to other areas of the home, even if there’s just one bed bug present.
The spread of these bugs may not be as fast as other pests, but they can quickly multiply and become a serious problem.
They multiply and lay eggs at an alarming rate. A female bed bug can lay up to 500 eggs in her lifetime, and each of these eggs can hatch in as little as 6 to 10 days.
So, if you have just a few bed bugs present in your home, it’s possible that this number could increase exponentially within a short period of time.
This means that despite their slow movement, bed bugs can still spread quickly and cause an infestation.
Bed bugs typically stay close to their food source, which is people. However, if they are disturbed or if their food source is not available, they will spread out in search of food.
While bed bugs can travel long distances in search of food, they typically prefer to stay close to their host.
If you have bed bugs, they will likely be found in your bedding, furniture, or other areas where you spend a lot of time resting or sleeping.
Quick Tips on How to Stop the Spread of Bed Bugs
Although prevention is the best way to stop the spread of bed bugs, there are some quick tips you can follow to help keep them from spreading:
Inspect Used Furniture
There’s nothing wrong with buying used furniture, but you should always inspect it for bed bugs before bringing it into your home.
If you do find bed bugs, ensure that the piece of furniture is treated before bringing at home.
Vacuum Regularly
Regular vacuum cleaning is one of the best ways to reduce the spread of bed bugs.
Since these pests like to stay close to their food source, vacuuming can help remove them from areas where people spend a lot of time.
Wash Your Bedding
Washing your bedding in hot water can help kill any bed bugs that might be present. Be sure to wash all of your bedding, including sheets, blankets, and pillowcases
Keep Pets Away from Infested Areas
If you already have an infestation, keeping your pets away from the affected areas can help prevent them from spreading the bugs throughout the house.
Treat with Pest Control Products
There are preventive and treatment pest control products available that can help get rid of bed bugs.
If you’ve had a history of these pests in your home, using these products can help prevent them from returning.
Alternatively, if you already have an infestation, products like sprays and powders can help get rid of the bugs. These products should be used as directed to ensure they are effective.
Final Thoughts
Bed bugs crawl slowly, but this doesn’t mean it’s not a cause for concern. One single bug can quickly lay hundreds of eggs, leading to a rapid infestation.
To prevent these pests from taking over your home, be sure to inspect used furniture, vacuum regularly, check pipes and cracks for signs of bed bugs, and keep pets away from affected areas.
If you already have an infestation, there are pest control products available that can help get rid of the bugs.
If things have gotten out of control, ensure to call a professional pest control company to help you eliminate your bed bug problem.
They will have the best products and experience to get rid of your infestation quickly, professionally, and effectively.
