Bed bugs ( Cimex lectularius ) are small, parasitic insects that feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded hosts, primarily humans. These nocturnal pests typically emerge between midnight and 5:00 a.m., attracted by the carbon dioxide and heat signature of a sleeping person. Bed bugs do not spread from person to person like contagious diseases or body lice. Instead, people act as unwitting transportation carriers for these insects and their eggs, moving them from one infested location to another via personal property.
Clarifying Direct Human Transmission
Bed bugs are not adapted to live on a host’s body, which is the primary reason direct human-to-human transmission is highly improbable. Unlike fleas or lice, these insects are “cryptic,” meaning they spend the vast majority of their time hiding in dark, secure crevices, only emerging briefly to feed. A single feeding takes only about five to ten minutes, and a bug typically feeds only once every five to ten days. The insects are wingless and cannot jump, relying solely on crawling to move short distances. Furthermore, bed bugs are not known to transmit human diseases.
The True Vectors of Bed Bug Spread
Bed bugs are exceptional hitchhikers, and their spread relies almost entirely on inanimate objects, which entomologists refer to as fomites. The most common vector is luggage, as travelers frequently place suitcases on or near infested beds in hotels or temporary accommodations, allowing bugs to crawl into the seams, zippers, and pockets of bags. Secondhand furniture, particularly upholstered items like mattresses, couches, and chairs, is another common source of new infestations, harboring eggs or adult bugs in their fabric folds. Bed bugs also travel on clothing, especially coats and jackets, and in personal items like purses and backpacks placed on infested surfaces in public spaces or on public transit. In multi-unit buildings, they can actively disperse by crawling through shared walls, electrical conduits, and pipe chases to move between apartments.
Immediate Steps for Risk Reduction
Preventing bed bugs from hitchhiking requires vigilance when traveling or bringing new items into the home. When staying overnight, immediately inspect the bed area, paying close attention to the mattress seams, headboard, and the luggage rack. Do not store your suitcase on the floor or the bed; instead, use the luggage rack or store the bag in the bathroom tub or on a high shelf. Upon returning home, all clothing should immediately be washed in hot water and dried on high heat for at least 30 minutes, as heat is highly effective at killing all life stages of the insect, including eggs. Any secondhand items, including clothing or furniture, must be thoroughly inspected before being brought indoors.