Bed bugs spread in a variety of ways. It is most likely someone who has an infestation transmits bed bugs to someone who doesn’t. There are almost infinite scenarios where that can happen.
We will go over some of the most common ways you can bring home a bed bug infestation in detail.
But first, there are a few things about dealing with bed bugs that you should know.
If you’ve ever experienced an infestation of bed bugs, you already know how stressful it can be. They can live in your home unnoticed for several weeks or even months.
Once you have them, getting rid of them is no picnic.
Bed bugs are tiny, which means they are hard to spot. While you can see them with the naked eye, most people don’t realize they’re there until it’s too late. On top of that, they spread incredibly fast, making them a real nightmare for homeowners, property managers, and renters alike.
Because of how easily bed bugs can spread, the best thing you can do to protect yourself is to make pest control a daily habit.
You can easily do that with a bed bug kit designed to help you stop bed bugs before they get out of control. By working pest control into your routine, you can eliminate your bed bug infestation before it becomes a complete nightmare.
Let’s explore the most common ways that bed bugs spread so that you can learn how to prevent these terrifying pests from invading your home.
From your vacation in the Bahamas to the movie theater where you had your last date, there are endless ways bed bugs can make their way into your life. But if you know where they come from, you know how to stop them from becoming a problem too!
How do bed bugs spread?
Bed bugs can spread through luggage, clothing, and other items. They cling to your belongings. Then they use them to hitch a ride into your home. If you’re visiting a hotel with a bed bug infestation, or if someone with bed bugs is visiting you, you are likely to end up with them yourself.
Bed bugs can also be spread by sharing living spaces with someone who has bedbugs. If your roommate or neighbor has them, you will be next.
They can also be spread through rental properties if the landlord or property manager doesn’t take steps to prevent them. Bed bugs can hide behind your walls and use your electrical outlets to travel from room to room or apartment to apartment.
That’s bad news if you live in a multi-residential building!
Take proper precautions to stop bed bugs from coming in contact with your belongings. Check your home for signs of bed bugs regularly, and make sure your space is clutter-free.
You may also encounter bed bugs in your hotel room. Hotels are among the top 3 places most likely to have an infestation!
If you’re staying in a hotel room that doesn’t have a proper pest control routine, there may be a bed bug waiting for you when you arrive.
How fast do bed bugs spread?
Bed bugs can spread quickly. They can travel from room to room in just a few minutes, and it does not take long for an infestation to grow.
A single bed bug can lay up to 500 eggs in its lifetime. The eggs usually hatch in as little as 1 week. In about 2 weeks, they reach maturity and the life cycle continues with the next generation. In that time, you could have hundreds or even thousands of bed bugs hiding in your home.
All it takes is one to get past you to create a full-blown infestation in just a few short weeks. They could be feasting on your blood while you sleep for as long as several months before you even know they are there!
How to prevent bed bugs from spreading
To prevent bed bugs from spreading, you need to take certain precautions:
#1 Use bed bug spray.
Using a natural bed bug spray to treat your home once a week helps you deal with infestations as they happen. You can also use a bed bug travel spray to protect yourself on the go.
#2 Use a laundry additive.
Including a bed bug laundry additive in your next load of laundry can help you keep bed bugs out of your washable items. This is especially important if you travel, take public transportation, or shop second hand. Always wash your items immediately to avoid giving bed bugs room to set up shop in your home.
#3 Use a mattress cover.
Bed bugs get their name because they like to sleep close to their hosts. While they can still hide in other places, like your couch, dresser, or even behind your wallpaper, they are most likely to try to burrow into your bed where they can be close to you.
Using a bedbug-proof mattress cover has two major benefits:
- They stop bed bugs from entering your mattress, where they have easy access to your blood when you sleep at night.
- They trap any existing bed bugs you couldn’t exterminate inside your mattress and stop them from biting you.
Investing in a mattress cover today can save you hundreds and thousands of dollars on extermination fees later. It can also save you from needing to replace your mattress, since many bed bug infested beds are not salvageable.
Bed Bugs Spread Faster Than You Think
Bed bugs are a common problem all over the world. They are constantly on the rise because of how how easily they spread versus how difficult they can be to get rid of.
The best way to stop bed bugs from spreading is to catch the infestation early. Stay on top of your pest control routine with the Total Bed Bug Protection Kit by Hygea Natural.