Common Bed Bug Causes: Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?

Bed bugs infestations can cause a lot of frustration and pain for homeowners and hotel guests. These tiny insects leave small itching bites that make you feel “dirty”. However, it is a common misconception that bed bugs are drawn to filth: they can live in any environment. So what are common bed bug causes and how to prevent them from infesting your home?

Table of contents

• What causes bed bug infestations?
• Where do bed bugs come from?
• How to avoid bringing bed bugs into my home?
• What are some signs of a bed bug infestation?

Bed bugs tend to live where lots of people live or come and go frequently. They can survive up to a year without any food, and they can easily attach themselves to people’s stuff until they find a nice place to live in. Knowing the common causes of bed bug infestations can help you prevent them from occupying your property.

Here are some of the most common causes of bed bug infestations:

• Travel: Bed bugs can easily travel on your luggage, clothing, or other personal items. If you stay in a hotel, hostel, or other accommodation with bed bugs, they can easily make their way back home with you.
• Secondhand Items: Bed bugs can also be found in used furniture, clothing, and other secondhand items. That’s why it is important to inspect those items before bringing them home.
• Crowded Living Conditions: Bed bugs thrive in crowded living conditions, such as apartment buildings, dormitories, and shelters.
• Poor Sanitation: While bed bugs can thrive in any (even the cleanest) environments, cluttered or dirty spaces can make it easier for them to hide and reproduce.
• Lack of Awareness: Many people are not aware of the signs of bed bugs, which is key to preventing bed bug infestations from becoming a serious problem.

Despite their name, bed bugs can come from a variety of sources and places. Here are some of the most common places where bed bugs come from:

• Hotels, hostels and other accommodations
• Secondhand furniture, clothing and other items
• Public places, such as movie theaters, public transportation and waiting rooms
• Apartments, dormitories, and shelters
• Office buildings
• Schools, colleges and universities

They can attach themselves to different objects, like:

• Sheets and blankets
• Suitcases or luggage
• Various clutter, like piles of clothing
• Walls, floors, and other openings
• Seams of upholstered furniture
• Cardboard boxes, etc

Knowing how bed bugs can get into your home is essential to take proactive measures to prevent them from entering your home. They can easily find their way into your home through a variety of sources, so here are some tips to avoid that:

• If you spend the night in a hotel or resort, or even visiting your friend’s house, you can bring the bed bugs home. To avoid this, keep your belongings off the floors. Also, check bedding and furniture in a room where you’re staying.
• They can also hitch a ride on public transportation or from work, making it important to keep an eye out for bed bug bites or any signs of bed bugs.
• Another common way bed bugs can enter your home is through guests staying with you, who could bring them along unknowingly. To prevent this, it’s always a good idea to wash their bedding at the hottest temperature once they leave.
• If you take or purchase used furniture (not only beds), it is also important to inspect those items for black streaks, shed insect casings, and bloodstains.
• Clear your home of clutter where bed bugs can thrive.

Recognizing the signs of a bed bug infestation early on can help you take prompt action to address the issue effectively. Besides painful swelling bites, you may also notice:

• Bloodstains on sheets
• Dark or rusty colored stains on your mattress, bedding, or nearby furniture
• Eggshells and shed skin, droppings and small white eggs resembling rice
• In some cases, you may also notice bed bugs themselves

Author: Soleha Nisaa