Bed bugs are a problematic pest. Once they invade your living space, it can be hard to get rid of them. People are often surprised to find an infestation of bed bugs and wonder how it happened. There are misconceptions concerning where bed bugs come from. Understanding where they come from can help you avoid a possible infestation from occurring.
How Do They Enter?
It is widely believed that bed bugs are attracted to filth. Unfortunately, that is one of the most common misconceptions. Bed bugs do not care if space is clean or filthy. They only care about having enough places to hide, feed, and breed, which is typically within your mattress and furniture.
Bed bugs need blood to survive. Therefore, anywhere they can find blood, they will live. Since they can feed off you while you sleep, it goes beyond a matter of cleanliness. Typically, bed bugs are brought in by luggage from other people who have an infestation. The bugs then exit the luggage to infest hotels, motels, homes, and businesses.
Bed bugs live with human beings since that is their primary source of food. Therefore, you will find bed bugs anywhere that you find human beings, especially when in large groups. Common places where bed bugs come from or can be found include:
- Methods of transportation (buses, trains, taxis, planes, and cruise ships)
- Businesses (hotels, motels, and office spaces)
- Places of entertainment (movie theatres)
- Another person’s home
- Daycare facilities
- Schools (elementary, middle school, and high school)
- Public service buildings (police and fire stations)
- Government buildings (city halls and libraries)
No matter where you go, there is always a risk that you run into a bed bug infestation. If you happen to end up somewhere there is a bed bug infestation, it is likely that you will carry them home with you.
What Can You Do?
Anytime you go somewhere to spend the night, do a thorough check. Even the cleanest hotels and motels are not immune to bed bugs. Neither is a friend or family member’s house. Check for signs of an infestation by inspecting mattresses and bedding for bed bug stains, feces, or even live bed bugs.
If you notice an infestation, contact a professional exterminator immediately. Only a professional exterminator Mississauga can rid homes and businesses of bed bugs thoroughly using commercial sprays and other methods of removal.