Understanding Bed Bugs: Where They Come From and How to Keep Them Out

Kaija Robillard
Oct 17, 2024
4 min read

If you’re wondering how those persistent bed bugs ended up in your home, you’re not alone! Bed bugs are a common frustration for homeowners and travelers alike. Knowing where they come from and why they’ve chosen your home can help you better combat these unwelcome visitors.

In this post, we’ll address the most common bed bug questions and explain how they find their way into your living space. By understanding their behavior, you’ll be better prepared to prevent and manage these nocturnal pests.

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are small, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals.

Primarily active at night, bed bugs are attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale and the warmth of our bodies while we sleep. They typically feed for several minutes before returning to their hiding spots.

These pests usually infest areas where people sleep, such as beds, mattresses, and upholstered furniture. However, they can also hide in cracks and crevices around a room. While their bites can cause itchy welts, their presence can also lead to anxiety and stress. Bed bug infestations are difficult to eliminate, as these pests reproduce rapidly and have become increasingly resistant to many pesticides.

What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?

Bed bugs are small, flat, oval-shaped insects. While their size and shape can help differentiate them from other household pests like fleas or ticks, their ability to hide in tiny cracks makes them challenging to spot.

Here’s what to look for when identifying bed bugs:

Size: Adult bed bugs are roughly the size of an apple seed (5-10 mm in length).
Shape: Their flat, oval bodies allow them to easily hide in narrow cracks and crevices.
Color: Bed bugs can vary in color depending on when they last fed. When unfed, they may appear translucent or brown, but after a blood meal, they turn reddish-brown and may appear slightly larger.
Legs and Antennae: Bed bugs have six short legs and two antennae, though these are not always easy to see without close inspection.
Wings: Bed bugs are wingless and cannot fly or jump.

How Do Bed Bugs Get Into My Home?

Bed bugs typically enter homes by hitching a ride on objects or people. Although they can't fly or jump, they are experts at hiding and can easily go unnoticed. Here are some common ways bed bugs find their way inside:

Travel: Bed bugs often infest hotels, motels, and other accommodations. They can attach themselves to luggage, clothing, or personal belongings, spreading to your home once you return.
Used Furniture: Purchasing secondhand furniture, especially mattresses, couches, or upholstered items, can introduce bed bugs. Infested furniture may still harbor hidden pests.
Secondhand Clothing: Bed bugs can hide in secondhand clothing, particularly if the items were stored in infested environments or previously owned by someone with a bed bug problem.
Visitors: If someone with a bed bug infestation visits your home, they may unknowingly bring bed bugs along on their clothing or personal items.
Neighboring Infestations: In multi-unit buildings like apartments or condominiums, bed bugs can migrate through walls, electrical outlets, and plumbing, spreading to your unit.
Used Books and Electronics: Bed bugs can hide in the bindings of books or the crevices of electronics such as laptops and gaming consoles. Purchasing used items like these can introduce bed bugs into your home.
Laundry Facilities: Bed bugs can travel on clothing in shared laundry rooms or laundromats, especially if your clothing is washed with items from an infested source.

How Can I Prevent Bed Bugs From Entering My Home?

To minimize the risk of a bed bug infestation, it’s crucial to be vigilant when traveling and when acquiring secondhand items. Always inspect new or used furniture, clothing, and other items before bringing them into your home. If you suspect a bed bug problem, act quickly and seek professional pest control assistance.

How Do I Know If I Have a Bed Bug Problem?

Detecting a bed bug infestation often involves looking for a combination of physical signs. Key indicators of an infestation include:

Bites: Itchy welts on the skin, often in clusters or lines.
Blood Stains: Small blood stains on your sheets or mattress.
Fecal Spots: Dark, blackish spots from bed bug feces on your mattress or surrounding areas.
Eggs & Shed Skins: Tiny eggs or molted exoskeletons found near where bed bugs hide.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

If you suspect or confirm a bed bug infestation, it’s best to consult a licensed pest control professional. Bed bug removal requires expertise, as these pests are notoriously difficult to eradicate on your own. A professional pest control service can assess the extent of the problem and apply the most effective treatment methods.

Need help with bed bug elimination?

Bed Bug FAQs

How big are bed bugs? Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed, measuring 5-10 mm long.
Can you see bed bugs? Yes, bed bugs are small but still visible to the naked eye, especially if you know where to look.
Do bed bugs have wings or can they fly? No, bed bugs have no wings and cannot fly. They rely on crawling to move.
Do bed bugs jump? No, bed bugs cannot jump. They move by crawling and often hitch a ride on luggage or clothing.
How long do bed bugs live? Bed bugs can live for a few months to over a year, depending on factors like temperature and food availability.
Where do bed bugs hide? Bed bugs hide in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas—mattresses, box springs, furniture, baseboards, and even behind wallpaper or picture frames.
How long can bed bugs survive without food? Bed bugs can survive for more than a year without a blood meal.
What do bed bug bites look like? Bed bug bites usually appear as small, itchy, reddish welts in clusters or lines on exposed skin. The pattern is often linear or zigzag. However, not everyone reacts to bed bug bites, and itching may vary in severity.