Not only are common pests like bed bugs annoying to deal with, but they are also incredibly difficult to eliminate on your own. In fact, you could say that bed bugs take the cake when it comes to stubborn pests.

Perhaps more frustrating is that bed bugs often enter homes fairly innocently, such as hitching a ride on luggage or second-hand furniture. Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs are not a sign of a dirty home.

Whether you’re dealing with an active infestation or just wondering how to prevent these pests from invading your Maryland home, here is everything you need to know about what attracts bed bugs.

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of animals and humans. They are known to infest mattresses, furniture, clothing, and other household items.

As you’ll find out, bed bugs can enter a home in a variety of ways, usually by hitching a ride on luggage or used furniture. They are reddish-brown in color and about the size of an apple seed.

How Do You Get Bed Bugs? Top 5 Sources of Bed Bugs

Are Bed Bugs Dangerous?

While bed bugs don’t spread disease, their bites can cause itchy red lumps and even an allergic reaction in some people. Having bed bugs in your home can also cause a lot of mental distress, and people with bed bug infestations may experience insomnia and anxiety.

Signs of Bed Bugs

There are several telltale signs of bed bugs to be aware of, and spotting them early can help prevent a larger infestation. Key indicators include:

  • Crushed bed bugs often cause reddish stains on mattresses, bed sheets, and furniture.
  • Small, red bite marks on your skin that are itchy, typically appearing in a line or cluster after you’ve been bitten during the night.
  • Dark excrement spots on furniture, bedding, or walls resemble tiny black dots.
  • A sweet or musty odor in the home, often similar to spoiled fruit, can be a sign of a significant infestation.
  • Small, pale yellow eggs or eggshells are often found in crevices or hidden areas where bed bugs tend to hide.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s crucial to hire a bed bug control expert or follow these tips to get rid of bed bugs.

Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?

Understanding where bed bugs come from will help you avoid encounters in the future.

Bed bugs are expert travelers and can make their way into your home in a number of different ways:

Hotels and Motels

Hotels and motels are common hotspots for bed bugs, especially those that are not thoroughly cleaned and inspected after each guest. To be on the safe side, it can be helpful to read reviews for wherever you’re planning on staying before booking your room and do a quick sweep to check for bed bugs after checking in.

Public Transportation

Bed bugs, such as buses, trains, and airplanes, are also commonly found on public transportation. These pets often hitch a ride on travelers’ luggage and go from city to city undetected. Be sure to inspect any clothing or luggage for bed bugs after using public transportation.

Secondhand Furniture

While thrift shopping is a great way to be frugal and find secondhand items at a discounted price, you run the risk of encountering bed bugs. These pests are commonly found on used pieces of furniture such as couches, mattresses, and chairs. Inspect all second-hand furniture before bringing it into your home for bed bugs.

Multi-Family Housing Units

Multi-family housing units also commonly experience bed bugs, as the units are typically attached to one another, making it easy for these pests to travel from one apartment to another. Usually, a pest control plan will be necessary to keep bed bugs and other pests from spreading across the property.

Luggage and Travel Bags

Finally, one of the biggest ways bed bugs end up in people’s houses is by latching onto luggage and travel bags. Whenever you come home from a trip, it can be a good idea to thoroughly inspect your luggage before bringing it inside.

What to Do When You Spot Bed Bugs

If you spot bed bugs in your home, you must contact a pest control professional immediately. Being that these pests are notoriously hard to get rid of, you’ll want to enlist an expert’s help to ensure the infestation is taken care of effectively. If you spot bed bugs in your hotel room while traveling, you should inform the front desk right away so that they can move you to another room and call in an exterminator.

FAQs

How do bed bugs spread from one place to another?

Bed bugs spread from one place to another by latching onto luggage, clothing, and old furniture. It is incredibly easy to unknowingly bring bed bugs home, which is why it is so important to inspect your luggage after a trip and think twice before bringing any secondhand furniture into your home.

Can bed bugs be found on public transportation?

Yes, bed bugs can be found on public transportation, whether on other people’s clothes or luggage or the seats themselves. Public transportation is one of the places where bed bugs are most commonly found, as hundreds and even thousands of people travel through it daily.

Is secondhand furniture a common source of bed bugs?

Yes, secondhand furniture is especially prone to bed bug infestations. Before bringing used furniture into your home, it is a good idea to carefully inspect it and even have it professionally cleaned to reduce your risk of introducing bed bugs.