Skip to content

How Do bed Bugs Spread?

Bed bugs are much faster spreaders than you think. Infestations usually start when bed bugs find new spaces by latching onto bags, like backpacks, luggage, purses, and suitcases.

Bed bugs usually spread in these ways:

  • Infested college students’ belongings
  • After staying in an infested hotel
  • Bringing infested furniture indoors
How do bed bugs spread? | Des Moines IA | Springer Professional Home Services

How Do Bed Bugs Move Around?

Bed bugs are incapable of flight because they lack developed wings. They are also unable to jump for long distances like fleas. This means that bed bugs’ best method of transportation is crawling, even though they do so slowly. Because they live most of their lives hiding near food sources, there is usually no need for them to be speedy. After they feed, they return to their hiding spots to rest. 

Do Bed Bugs Spread Quickly in Iowa?

Thankfully, bed bugs cannot fly or jump long distances. So, how are they able to spread so well? Bed bugs commonly spread by catching rides on luggage, purses, backpacks, and the like. They can easily move around from one place to another this way. This accounts for bed bug infestations being so common after traveling. It is very important to stay aware of bed bug vulnerabilities while on vacation. 

Bed bugs may be slow, but they’re very good at hiding and spreading. Their quick life cycle only augments their ability to spread.

Am I Spreading Bed Bugs?

Although bed bugs spread easily by latching onto purses and suitcases, they are not contagious in the normal sense of the word. They do not like heat, so they don’t live on humans. This means that you won’t pass on bed bugs by carrying them on your body. Even though they aren’t directly contagious, it is very common for bed bugs to spread through interactions between people, like exchanging used belongings.

If you believe you might have bed bugs, it’s important to reach out to a bed bug exterminator as soon as possible.

How Do Bed Bugs Spread?

Serving Central Iowa since 1989

Des Moines | West Des Moines | Cedar Rapids | Davenport | Iowa City | Urbandale

Marshalltown | Fort Dodge | Waterloo | Ankeny | Ames | Altoona | Bondurant | Waukee