People get bed bugs primarily through the accidental transport of these pests from infested locations to their homes. Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers and can be brought in on luggage, purses, backpacks, clothing, or used furniture such as mattresses, box springs, couches, and chairs
. Common ways people acquire bed bugs include:
- Staying in infested places like hotels, motels, hospitals, or public transportation, where bed bugs hide in seams of mattresses, furniture, or cracks in walls
- Purchasing or acquiring secondhand furniture or clothing that harbors bed bugs or their eggs
- Moving from an infested residence and unknowingly carrying bed bugs in belongings
- Bed bugs can also travel between rooms or units in multi-unit buildings like apartments, via cracks or ducts
Bed bugs do not come from dirtiness or poor hygiene but from proximity to infested environments and items
. They are attracted to humans by carbon dioxide, warmth, and odors, feeding on blood usually at night
. Because bed bugs can survive for months without feeding, they can remain hidden and unnoticed until an infestation becomes apparent
. Preventive measures include carefully inspecting secondhand items, luggage, and hotel rooms, and washing clothing in hot water after travel
. In summary, people get bed bugs by unintentionally bringing them home on personal items or furniture from places where bed bugs are present
