Bed bugs are small, oval-shaped insects with no wings. These bugs exist all over the world. As their name suggests, bed bugs live close to where people sleep. But do bed bugs jump from person to person?
In this article, we will discover how bed bugs are transmitted, what contributes to their spread, and how to recognize bed bug infestation.
Can Bed Bugs Jump Between People?
Many people assume bed bugs jump or fly. This is a common misconception. So, can bed bugs jump from one person to another?
Bed bugs do not jump from person to person or fly; they simply crawl from one place to another. Unfortunately, their crawling speed is enough for them to latch onto anything.
For example, bed bugs can crawl away from you and go to the seat next to you on public transport, so other passengers might take bed bugs home. People carry bed bugs from one place to another without knowing it.
How Are Bed Bugs Transmitted?
These small parasites feed on human blood. While they do not spread disease, their bites can be irritating and itchy. Contrary to common misconceptions, bed bug infestations are not caused by poor hygiene or dirtiness. They can be transmitted through the following ways:
Travel
As mentioned, travel is one of the most common ways bed bugs can be transmitted. They can ride on backpacks, luggage, clothing, and bedding in hostels and hotels and pass them on public transport. We advise you to clean your luggage thoroughly after travel to prevent bringing bed bugs into your home.
Secondhand furniture or clothing
Bed bugs can hide in used clothing, mattresses, or furniture. Rented furniture can also carry bed bugs if used in an environment infected with bed bugs. Rented furniture should be inspected and disinfected before being rented again.
Remember that bed bugs can survive for many months without a blood meal. Therefore, isolating a piece of furniture does not kill bed bugs. That is why we recommend inspecting secondhand items and washing, disinfecting, or cleaning them thoroughly.
Shared spaces
Bed bugs can move between shared spaces, like laundries and dormitories. But do bed bugs jump around? Their crawling allows them to move through cracks and infest rooms or units. So, we advise regular monitoring, cleaning, and disinfecting of shared spaces.
Guests and visitors
People can carry bed bugs without knowing it. Hence, your visitors can bring bed bugs on their clothing or luggage.
On the other hand, it is a myth that bed bugs are transmitted through direct contact with humans, like shaking hands or hugging. They prefer to hide in cracks near their hosts instead of staying on human bodies.
Preventing bed bug transmission includes inspecting and cleaning spaces, luggage, or secondhand items. Knowing how to recognize and quickly address the signs of infestation is crucial to prevent or stop bed bugs from spreading.
Factors That Contribute to the Spread of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are still the number one pest in the United States and the hardest to control. Several environmental and behavioral factors contribute to the spread of bed bugs. Understanding these factors is important for implementing effective prevention and management strategies.
Crowded areas
As seen so far, bed bugs live in highly populated areas. The proximity of people in hostels allows bed bugs to move from one location to another, increasing the risk of infestation.
Frequent turnover of residents
Places with frequent turnover of visitors, like hostels, hotels, and motels, can easily be infected with bed bugs. Imagine that these locations are visited by people from all around the world who have traveled with different kinds of transport. So, tourists can unknowingly cause bed bug infestation if not detected on time.
Lack of awareness of the problem
Many people do not know the signs of a bed bug infestation or how to take preventive measures. Others associate bed bugs with poor hygiene, which is wrong, and they hide the infestation because of embarrassment.
Inappropriate pest management
Inadequate or delayed pest management might also contribute to the spread of these insects. Therefore, we advise you to use a professional bed bug extermination to have a quick and reliable solution.
Identifying Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation
Identifying the signs of a bed bug infestation is crucial to take immediate action. These are the key signs to look for:
- Physical appearance of adult bed bugs: Adult bed bugs are flat, reddish-brown insects. They have six legs on their oval-shaped bodies. They look swollen and elongated after feeding on blood.
- Detection of blood stains and excrement: After feeding on human blood, they leave behind small blood stains on sheets, pillowcases, or mattresses. The stains are reddish or brownish, and you may see them on bedding.
- Itchy bite marks on the body: Bed bug bites often cause pain, itching, and irritation. Bed bugs usually bite on the face, neck, arms, and legs. The bites look like mosquito or flea bites. They appear as raised red bumps or small welts.
- Musty odor: When bed bug infestations are severe, bed bugs may release a musty odor. The odor comes from bed bugs’ scent glands and can be present in heavily infected areas.
- Discarded exoskeletons: As bed bugs grow and mature, they shed their exoskeletons. You can often find them in the places where bed bugs hide, like cracks in walls or mattress seams.
Conclusion
Do bed bugs jump from person to person? Do they jump around? No. Bed bugs crawl, which is how they move from one place to another. For instance, you can unknowingly carry bed bugs on your clothes or backpack on the bus. They can crawl away and go to the passenger next to you.
The easiest and most common way bed bugs spread is through travel. They hitchhike on luggage, clothing, and bedding. Because of the nature of the environment, they are mostly present in hostels, motels, or any other highly crowded area.
Moreover, tourists worldwide can carry bed bugs on their backpacks and infest their rooms and accommodations. The lack of awareness of this problem and delayed pest management can contribute to the infestation.
Follow our advice on recognizing bed bug infestation so that you solve the problem on time.