Bed bugs are creepy, crawly insects that can be extremely difficult to eliminate, especially in an apartment complex where multiple units are infested with the same problem. If you have bed bugs, you probably don’t want to hear about how quickly these pests spread to other apartments or rooms in your building or home. Here’s what you need to know about the spread of bed bugs and whether it’s possible to stop them from spreading within your living space.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are a nightmare for anyone who has had to deal with them. These pesky little critters can infest a house in just one day and can be almost impossible to get rid of. But do bed bugs spread quickly, or is that an old wive’s tale? Let’s discuss this below!
How do Bed Bugs Spread
Bed bugs are not only annoying but can be difficult to kill, too. It is important for people who have bed bugs in their homes or businesses to understand how the insects spread so they can take the necessary steps to stop them from returning. There are many misconceptions about how bed bugs spread and much misinformation on the internet. So, what do you need to know about pests and how they move from place to place?
Reproduction
Bed bugs reproduce by laying eggs that hatch into nymphs. The nymphs look very similar in appearance and size compared to adults, but the nymphs have no wings. The adult bed bug can lay one egg daily and up to 500 eggs over its lifetime. Bed bugs can spread quickly if people aren’t careful.
Do Bed Bugs Spread Quickly?
Yes. Absolutely, bed bugs are notorious for their rapid spread. Their swift proliferation is due to a variety of factors. For one, female bed bugs can lay hundreds of eggs over their lifetime, translating to an exponential growth in their population if not addressed promptly. These tiny insects are also expert hitchhikers. They latch onto clothing, luggage, and even second-hand furniture, enabling them to travel vast distances and infest new environments with ease.
Factors like increased international travel and resistance to common pesticides further amplify the speed at which they spread. Furthermore, according to a report by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), bed bugs are not solely restricted to bedrooms; they’ve been found in offices, schools, and public transportation. They can be found in hotels, motels, apartment buildings, condos, and more.
This ability to thrive in various settings only underscores the importance of early detection and intervention. Recognizing their signs and seeking professional help immediately is crucial to prevent a larger infestation.
There are a few factors that affect how quickly bed bugs spread.
Bed Bugs Spreading
- If an infestation is small, the bed bug population may not be high enough to spread rapidly.
- How long has the infestation been going on? A longer-running infestation will have more bed bugs, and they’ll be able to spread faster.
- The size of the area where the infestation also occurs matters. A smaller space with less ventilation allows for a greater concentration of bed bugs, which means they’ll be able to move around more easily and reach other rooms in your house or apartment.
- Is there food nearby? If there’s food close by, the bed bugs will congregate there instead of spreading further away from their meal source.
More Factors
How many people live in the building/house? The more residents, the more likely it is that one person could accidentally bring bed bugs into a clean room. Is the building/house old or new construction? Older buildings provide better shelter for bed bugs because newer buildings often have sealed walls and tighter spaces. Bed bugs can be found worldwide but are most found in tropical and subtropical climates. They are not known to spread quickly and usually only require one or two people for complete infestation. However, if you think you have bed bugs, you should call a professional exterminator as soon as possible
