Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?

How do you actually get bed bugs in your home? These pesky insects can hitch a ride into your living space through luggage, clothing, and even used furniture. Considering the rise in global travel and secondhand shopping, understanding where they come from is more timely than ever.

Ever wondered why they are so hard to get rid of once they’ve invaded your home? Keep reading to find out effective strategies to combat them.

Key Takeaways

• Bed bugs often hide in the tiniest crevices, making places like hotels, buses, and shared living spaces common sources of infestations.
• Secondhand furniture, mattresses, and even items like curtains or electronics can bring bed bugs into your home.
• Bed bugs can easily move between apartments through tiny gaps in walls, electrical outlets, or vents, so infestations can spread quickly.
• If you think you have bed bugs, check your home carefully, clean your bedding, vacuum often, and call a professional if needed.

1. Hotels, Motels, and Vacation Rentals

Hotels, motels, and vacation rentals are prime hotspots for bed bug infestations. Due to the high turnover of guests, bed bugs find ample opportunities to move from room to room. They can be found in key hiding spots, such as:

• Mattress seams
• Box springs
• Bed frames
• Headboards
• Picture frames

2. Public Transportation

While it isn’t super common, public transportation, including buses, trains, and airplanes, can be a breeding ground for bed bugs. Bed bugs on public transport are mostly found on upholstered seats and in hidden cracks. These oval-shaped pests are about the size of an apple seed, making them difficult to spot.

These pests can hitch a ride on luggage, clothing, or personal belongings. They then make their way into homes or other living spaces.

3. Shared Living Spaces

Shared living spaces such as dormitories, shelters, and apartments are particularly vulnerable to bed bugs due to the constant flow of people and shared furniture. In such settings, infestations can spread rapidly from one unit to another.

These pests are adept at hiding in small crevices and seams. Inspections in areas like bed frames, mattresses, and couches are crucial to prevent widespread infestations.

4. Secondhand Furniture and Mattresses

Buying second hand furniture, especially beds and couches, risks introducing bed bugs into your home. These items can harbor bed bug eggs and nymphs, which can remain undetected for long periods.

When buying secondhand items, be sure to inspect seams and crevices. Then, check for reddish-brown spots. Finally, look for eggshells and live bugs.

How Do Bed Bugs Spread Undetected?

Bed bugs can move from one place to another without being seen. Understanding how they spread without you noticing can help prevent an infestation before it starts.

Hitchhiking on Luggage, Clothes, and Personal Items

Bed bugs are notorious for catching a ride on luggage, clothes, and personal belongings. They don’t fly or jump but are expert hitchhikers. When people travel, they might unknowingly bring these pests back from infested locations.

Through Moving or Shipping Items

Bed bugs are adept at spreading through the movement of goods, making them a global issue. When shipped items are relocated, they can hide in the tiniest crevices for a ride to new locations.

Items stored for extended periods or shipped in bulk are particularly vulnerable. Since they can easily remain hidden in tiny spaces without detection, infestations may reemerge in a new environment.

Spreading Within Apartment Buildings

In apartment buildings and complexes, bed bugs are notorious for spreading quickly between units. They often exploit shared spaces, migrating through electrical outlets, baseboards, and ventilation systems.

This ease of movement requires pest management solutions across the building rather than tackling the problem unit by unit.

What to Do If You Suspect a Bed Bug Infestation

First, look for signs of bed bug infestations. To ensure peace of mind and a good night’s sleep, take these steps seriously to get rid of these pests:

1. Inspect your home for potential entry points. Then, seal cracks and gaps to prevent them from entering or hiding.
2. Inspect hotspots for signs, such as small fecal spots (droppings), eggshells, and live adult bed bugs.
3. Wash bedsheets, pillowcases, and other linens with hot water to remove adults or eggs that may have hitchhiked.
4. Be cautious when returning from hotel rooms, especially in high-risk areas like New York.
5. Encase mattresses and box springs in protective covers to prevent them from residing in your bed.
6. Vacuum frequently, especially around bed frames, carpets, and baseboards. Dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag immediately.
7. Understand their life cycle and why they need a blood meal to recognize early signs of infestation.
8. Be aware that bed bugs are attracted to carbon dioxide and the warmth of their food source—humans.
9. Use DIY or products like sprays for less serious infestations until professionals arrive.
10. Be cautious when traveling internationally. Bed bugs are an issue not only in America but also in Europe and Asia.

When to Call a Bed Bug Expert in Orlando

Not sure when to seek a pest control company for bed bug control? If someone in your household constantly feels itchy, particularly at night, it might be due to these pests. Bed bug bites are often on exposed skin, causing rashes, welts, or allergic reactions.

At Rowland Pest, our specialized treatments target the entire room, from furniture to hidden crevices, using EPA-approved solutions for thorough, long-lasting results.

Contact us today, and let our experts guide you through every step of the process to reclaim your home from bed bugs.