Are Bed Bugs Hitching a Ride in Your Home?

Think you might have a bed bug infestation? First of all, having bed bugs is not a sign that you are untidy. Bed bugs can hitchhike into your home through a variety of ways like luggage, purses, furniture, clothing, even through your child’s backpack. And these little pests are tough to get rid of.

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are small, primarily nocturnal insects that feed exclusively on blood. They are reddish-brown in color and are about the size of an apple seed. They will live in mattresses, box springs, couches, and anywhere else their host (humans) spends long periods of time. Bed bugs are also opportunists. They will hide and wait until they can feed. If their area is displaced, they’ll find another location which makes it harder to treat for an infestation.

Are Bed Bugs Harmful?

In short, no. But bed bugs can cause distress and they can bite. Everyone reacts differently to bed bug bites. Some people may experience red, itchy welts similar to mosquito bites, while others aren’t bothered. Often times people will find bites on their head, neck, arms, and shoulders since those are the areas most often exposed when sleeping. Take a look at our bed bug informational page to learn more about the problems caused by bed bugs.

How Quickly Do Bed Bugs Spread?

Bed bugs can spread two ways: through reproduction and by hitching a ride — how bed bugs typically enter your home.

How Bed Bugs Spread Through Reproduction

Once a pregnant female bed bug invades your home, she will lay about 100 eggs in the first month. She spreads out her laying and coats her eggs with a sticky substance that makes it nearly impossible to remove the egg. Eggs will hatch anywhere between 6 to 10 days. Once the end of the second month comes around, there will be about 10 adults with hundreds of more eggs. And by the third month, you’ll have over 100 adults breeding, and thousands of developing bed bugs, called nymphs.

How Bed Bugs Spread Through Hitching Rides

Bed bugs are quite the little hitchhikers. They will travel by means of purses, laundry baskets, stuffed animals, your car, clothing, shoes, you get the idea. Bed bug infestations most commonly start after a person has traveled to an infested location and then brought them back through their luggage on their clothing.

Professional Bed Bug Removal

Bed bugs can resist most extermination methods so it’s important to find an extermination company that’s highly experienced in bed bug removal. That’s where Pest Control Inc comes in. We will thoroughly inspect your home, determine the best form of treatment, and perform a follow-up to ensure your bed bug infestation has been eliminated. We also offer different bed bug protections so you can avoid bed bug infestations in the future. Depending on which one you select, we offer 30-day, 90-day, and one-year warranties!