Bed bugs are a nightmare for any homeowner. Many believe that these pests only invade dirty or unkempt homes, but this is far from the truth. Bed bugs can invade any home, no matter how meticulous the cleaning is.
In this article, we will investigate how bed bugs can find their way into a spotless home and discuss strategies for preventing future infestations.
Read on to uncover the origins of a bed bug infestation and what you can do about it.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Bed bugs can invade any home, regardless of cleanliness. They’re attracted to warmth, moisture, and carbon dioxide, not filth, and often enter homes through travel, second-hand furniture, or public spaces like hotels and public transport.
Bed bugs hide in small crevices and are difficult to detect. Common signs include itchy bites, blood stains, and dark spots on bedding.
To eliminate them, vacuum thoroughly, wash bedding in hot water, seal cracks, and use bed bug traps.
In severe cases, professional extermination is necessary. Regular inspections and pest control can help prevent infestations.
I Have A Clean House; Why Did I Get Bed Bugs?
It’s a common belief that pests like rats, mice, ants, and cockroaches are only attracted to spills, messes, and food waste. Thus, many Australians are shocked to find bed bugs in their clean homes.
But unlike these other pests, bed bugs aren’t attracted to dirt, grime, or decaying material. Instead, bed bugs are drawn to blood, regardless of how clean or dirty your environment is.
What Attracts Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are attracted to warmth, moisture, and the carbon dioxide we exhale.
These pests rely on blood for survival, and human bodies provide the perfect environment for them. A clean house does not deter bed bugs if their primary food source—human blood—is present.
The myth that only filthy homes attract bed bugs persists for two main reasons:
- Budget accommodations are often linked to bed bug infestations because lower-end hotels may not have the financial resources to address infestations quickly.
- Lower-income households are disproportionately affected due to the high cost of professional extermination services, which can make it difficult for some families to eradicate bed bugs.
Bed Bugs in Hotels and Public Spaces
One of the most common ways bed bugs enter homes is through travel. Hotels, no matter how clean or luxurious, can harbour bed bugs.
Guests unknowingly carry bed bugs home in their luggage, clothing, or personal items. Public places, like public transportation, cinemas, and even office spaces, can also be sources of bed bugs.
The Truth About What Causes Bed Bugs
Many Australians are under the impression that poor hygiene causes bed bugs, but this is not true. Bed bugs can invade any home, regardless of its cleanliness, and they often hitch a ride into homes via second-hand furniture, travel items, or even visitors.
How Do Bed Bugs Get Into Your Home?
Contact with bed bugs at infested locations, such as hotels, public transport, or second-hand furniture stores, is the main way bed bugs enter homes. Bed bugs latch onto luggage, backpacks, or clothing and are transported into homes where they can multiply rapidly.
Here are common sources of bed bugs:
- Hotels and motels
- Public transportation (buses, trains, taxis)
- Second-hand furniture or mattresses
- Shared living spaces such as apartments, dormitories, and hostels
Once inside, bed bugs find cracks, seams in mattresses, or other hidden spots to reproduce.
Common Signs of Bed Bugs
Before addressing how to get rid of bed bugs, it’s crucial to identify their presence. Since bed bugs are nocturnal, they’re not always visible during the day. However, their signs are unmistakable.
How To Spot Bed Bug Infestation:
- Itchy, red bites: Bed bug bites often appear in clusters or lines, typically on exposed skin during sleep.
- Blood stains on sheets: After feeding, bed bugs may leave small red or brown stains on your sheets.
- Dark spots on bedding: These spots are bed bug droppings, often found on mattresses, bedding, or upholstered furniture.
- Shed skins: As bed bugs grow, they shed their skins, which can be found in and around their hiding spots.
Why Are Bed Bugs Hard to Detect?
Bed bugs are small and adept at hiding. They can fit into tiny crevices such as mattress seams, behind headboards, and cracks in the wall.
Even in a spotless home, they can go unnoticed for long periods until their population grows. Additionally, bed bugs are resilient, and simply cleaning the house won’t eliminate them.
Where Do Bed Bugs Hide?
Contrary to their name, bed bugs don’t just live in beds. They are found in many places, including:
- Mattress seams
- Bed frames
- Upholstered furniture
- Carpets and rugs
- Behind peeling wallpaper
- Inside electrical outlets and light switches
- Cluttered areas, which provide ample hiding spots
Does Uncleanliness Cause Bed Bugs?
This is one of the most persistent myths about bed bugs. Unlike other pests that may thrive in dirty environments, bed bugs are not attracted to filth. Their sole focus is finding blood meals, not seeking out decaying matter.
Bed Bugs and Cleanliness
A clean home is not immune to bed bugs. They are equally at home in luxury hotels as they are in more budget accommodations.
While clutter can make bed bugs harder to detect and treat, it doesn’t cause them to invade in the first place.
How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs
If you discover bed bugs in your home, it’s crucial to act quickly. While some infestations are manageable without professional help, severe infestations may require professional extermination services. Here are some steps you can take:
Step 1: Clean and Vacuum
Start by vacuuming your mattress, bed frame, and surrounding areas thoroughly. Bed bugs can hide in carpets and cracks in the floor, so focus on these areas, too. Be sure to empty the vacuum contents outside to prevent re-infestation.
Step 2: Wash Bedding and Clothing
High heat is one of the most effective ways to kill bed bugs. Wash all bedding, linens, and clothing in hot water, then dry them on the highest setting.
For items that can’t be washed, consider freezing them, as bed bugs can’t survive in freezing temperatures for extended periods.
Step 3: Seal Cracks and Crevices
Sealing cracks in your walls, around windows, and in your bed frame reduces hiding spots for bed bugs. Consider using mattress encasements to protect your bed from re-infestation.
Step 4: Use Bed Bug Traps
Bed bug traps can be placed under bedposts and furniture to monitor for the presence of bed bugs. These traps can help detect an infestation early, especially if you have recently travelled or acquired second-hand items.
Step 5: Call Professional Pest Control
If the infestation is widespread, it’s best to call a licensed pest control expert. Professionals have access to tools and treatments that aren’t available to the public, including pesticides that are safe for use in homes.
Conclusion
Bed bugs are a frustrating and challenging pest to deal with, but knowing the causes and how to prevent them can protect your home. Remember that bed bugs can invade any home, no matter how clean, so it’s essential to stay vigilant, especially after travelling or buying second-hand items.
Regular inspections, decluttering, and professional pest control services are key steps in ensuring that your home remains bed bug-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I’m So Clean, Then Why Do I Still Have Bedbugs?
Bed bugs have no interest in filth, rot, or anything else indicative of decay. They are only interested in blood and will look for it in any condition. Bed bugs can locate a potential host by the carbon dioxide they exhale and the body heat and moisture they generate.
Can Bedbugs Infest A Tidy Home?
Most people probably think of a dirty person, a rundown hotel, or a filthy home when they picture a place with a bed bug infestation. That, however, is not the case. Bedbugs seek out human blood, not soil.
Bed Bugs: A Symptom Of Dirty Living Conditions?
Bed bugs are not an indication of slovenliness or lack of cleanliness. Bed bugs are notorious hitchhikers, making their way to new locations in discarded furniture, suitcases, and other items.
Precisely What Can Be Done To Coax Those Pesky Bed Bugs Out Of Their Hiding Places?
The hair dryer’s heat will drive the bed bugs out of their hiding place. It is also possible to purchase and set up commercial bed bug traps around your furniture.
The use of a strong flashlight can also be helpful in the search for insects in low light conditions.
When Do Bed Bugs First Appear, And What Is The Primary Reason For This?
They could have travelled from an infected area or been brought in on second-hand furniture.
Can hitch rides on luggage, purses, backpacks, and other items left on upholstered or soft surfaces. They can move freely between rooms in hotels and other multi-unit buildings.
