How do bed bugs get inside my house?

1. Hitchhiking on belongings

Bed bugs are notorious hitchhikers. They’re able to cling to your belongings, like luggage, clothing, or used furniture, during your travels.

When you then bring these items into your home, the bed bugs can quickly disembark– immediately infesting your living space.

Hotels, public transportation, and even visiting friends or family can unfortunately be sources of bed bug infestations, because it’s so easy for the tiny insects to hitch a ride on your possessions without catching your notice.

2. Cracks and crevices

Bed bugs are very small, flat creatures. Their size and shape allows them to squeeze through tiny cracks and crevices in walls, floors, and ceilings.

They can enter your home from neighboring infested apartments or shared walls in multi-unit buildings. If you live in close proximity to others, bed bugs can migrate through gaps in the building’s structure and find their way into your space.

3. Used furniture and secondhand items

While used furniture and secondhand clothing and decor can make your space look great without breaking the bank, these items can potentially introduce bed bugs to your living space. Bed bugs hide in the seams, crevices, and upholstery of furniture.

While the items may look like they’re in good condition, they could be harboring bed bugs. Thoroughly inspecting anything you bring into your home is a good practice. Look for evidence of bed bugs in the seams and cracks of items– any tiny space where they could fit is a good place to look. You’ll often be able to tell if bed bugs have been present in your items by spotting their droppings or eggs– tiny dark spots or white specks.

4. Traveling and hotels

Traveling is great, but it can potentially expose you to bed bugs– especially if you’re staying in a hotel, motel, or vacation rental. Bed bugs can hide in mattresses, bedding, and furniture in these establishments, waiting for an opportunity to hitchhike back to your home.

When you check into a hotel room or vacation rental, leave your luggage and belongings outside or in your vehicle while you closely inspect the place for any evidence of bed bugs– tiny reddish-brown bugs, black spots, or shed skins. If you spot any of these, do not stay in the room, and alert the staff of the hotel or rental.

Find different accommodations, and if possible, wash any clothing you were wearing with hot water immediately, rather than putting it in a laundry hamper or near your other clothing and belongings.

5. Guest visits

When guests visit your home, it’s possible for them to unknowingly bring bed bugs with them. Bed bugs can hide in luggage, bags, or clothing, and if a guest’s living space is infested, the bed bugs can transfer to your home.

While it can be difficult to broach the subject– you don’t want to be insulting!– if at all possible, have your guests check their belongings and living areas for signs of infestation before they visit.

6. Used books and electronics

While their name might suggest that bed bugs only live within beds and other soft surfaces, they are unfortunately resourceful creatures that are able to hide in unexpected places. Used books, device, and other items purchased from secondhand stores can actually serve as carriers for these pests.

When you bring these items in your home, inspect them closely and wash or treat them before introducing them into your living space.

Take preventative measures

Bed bugs have many ways of getting inside your home– from hitchhiking on your belongings or purchases to sneaking through cracks in your building. Fully understanding these entry points and taking preventative measures whenever possible is an essential practice for maintaining a bed bug-free home.

If you do happen to notice evidence of bed bugs in your space, it’s time to call in a professional– this is a serious issue that can be incredibly difficult to treat on your own. Reach out through our website or call the location that’s closest to you for speedy assistance.