Remember those old bedtime stories where tiny creatures lived under our beds and we were terrified they might crawl into our legs while we slept? They had huge antennae in our dreams and only came out at night. I remember being half fascinated, half scared out of my mind. Fast forward to adulthood, and sorry to break it to you, but the fear just got real. The only difference is that these little guys don’t wear hats, they’re not friendly, and they definitely come out at night. And if you’ve felt that sudden shiver while reading this, you’ve probably already asked yourself: Wait… do these things actually fly like fleas? Or is it another bedtime story myth, too?
Let’s talk about Bed Bugs, the truth, the myths, and what you really need to know about them!
How do bed bugs get into home?
Bed bugs don’t just show up, we bring them home ourselves. Yep, that’s right. Most of the time, we are the ones carrying them around (without even knowing it). Let’s break it down in simple terms:
Your home doesn’t have bed bugs. You travel somewhere, maybe to a hotel, a friend’s place, or a guesthouse. You set your bag down in a cupboard, on a wooden table, or near a bed. Everything seems fine. A week later, you’re back home… and suddenly, you notice small red insects crawling around your bag. Then come the itchy, swollen, red marks on your hands and legs. That’s how bed bugs hitch a ride right into your space. The luggage with its warmth and used clothes attracts bed bugs.
Can bed bugs jump from person to person?
The simple answer is no; they don’t jump! They prefer crawling from place to place in search of their next meal (yes, that means us). They are actually little hitchhikers. They travel with luggage, clothing, or furniture. Wherever they find the right environment (warm, dark, and close to a food source), they settle in and make themselves at home… until something forces them out.
Do bed bugs fly like fleas?
Nope, they don’t do that either. Bed bugs aren’t like fleas or lice, they crawl, plain and simple!
Over time, as bed bugs adapted to their environment and lifestyle, they lost the need for wings. That evolutionary shift led them to become what they are today, completely wingless. Now, some people are surprised to learn that bed bugs do have something called vestigial wing pads (or hemelytra pads), which develop as they mature from the 5th instar nymph stage into adulthood. While they can move these tiny pads, they can’t use them for flight, not even close.
You might wonder: If they have wing pads, why not just use them instead of crawling everywhere?
Well, those pads are located right behind their head, in a spot that makes them completely useless for flight. (good for us!) Over thousands of years, as bed bugs adapted to living in beds, cracks, and furniture, and feeding off humans at night, wings just became unnecessary baggage. So, while they can crawl quickly (yes, they’re fast on those six legs), they can’t fly or jump. They might move from one person to another over time, but not by jumping or soaring through the air.
If bed bugs could fly like fleas jump, we’d all be in serious trouble. But they can’t. And that’s at least one thing we can be grateful for!
Where do bed bugs live?
Bed bugs usually hide in furniture, especially in and around beds.
They can spread from one space to another, often without being noticed. The reason we overlook them so easily is the fact that they hide in places we’d never expect.
Some of the places where you might see them:
- Inside the joints of sofas and chairs
- Between cushion pads
- In the folds of curtains
- In the cracks and joints of drawers
- Behind wallpaper or picture frames
- Even where the wall meets the ceiling
They’ve even been found in appliances and electronics, and believe it or not, they can fit inside the head of a screw. That’s how small and sneaky they are.
How to get rid of bed bugs?
Bed bugs really only fear one thing: extreme temperatures, either way. That’s right. They can’t handle temperatures that are very hot or freezing cold. You can use this to your advantage. Tools like a hair dryer, cold spray, or any device that generates high or low temperatures can help drive them out of hiding.
Below are some of the ways that you can follow:
- Wash your clothes, luggage, sheets, and pillowcases in hot water. Soak them in hot water for at least 30 minutes to kill any unwanted hitchhikers hiding in your laundry.
- Declutter and vacuum your home thoroughly, especially around the edges of mattresses, along baseboards, and near windows. Bed bugs love dark, tight spaces.
- Be extra cautious when you buy secondhand furniture. Check inside crevices, under cushions, behind seams, and in all those small, easy-to-miss spots.
- Seal off any pipe or wire openings, too; they can be sneaky entry points.
If the problem gets out of hand or home remedies just aren’t cutting it, it might be time to call a trusted pest control service. At Dave’s Pest Control, we offer topnotch effective Bed Bug Removal Services. Our trained technicians use safe, proven methods to detect and eliminate bed bugs, right down to the hidden roots of the infestation. We don’t just treat the surface; we get to the source!
Conclusion
Bed bugs can’t fly. And they don’t jump from one person to another like fleas do. They take the slow and sneaky route: crawling. Instead of being afraid of how bed bugs move around, the better move would be to put your energy where it counts: into prevention. Check your luggage, bags, and purses after traveling. Inspect secondhand furniture carefully before bringing it home. Bed bugs don’t magically appear; they hitch a ride with you. So, unless you’re carrying them in from the outside, your home is safe.
Bed bugs may be annoying, but with a little awareness and a few smart habits, you can keep them far away from your bed (and your bedtime stories).
