Bed bugs cannot jump, contradicting the common fear that these insects can suddenly leap onto a person. The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, is a small, parasitic insect that feeds exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded hosts, primarily humans. They are entirely reliant on crawling for all their movement. Understanding their method of travel is important for effective prevention and management.
Bed Bug Locomotion: Why They Cannot Jump
The physical structure of a bed bug prevents any kind of jumping or flying ability. Unlike fleas, which possess specialized, powerful hind legs for launching, bed bugs lack the necessary anatomy for leaping. They are also wingless, meaning flight is not an option for moving between locations.
Instead of jumping, the bed bug’s six legs are adapted for rapid crawling across surfaces like floors, walls, and ceilings. Adult bed bugs can crawl at a rate of approximately three to four feet per minute. This speed allows them to quickly escape detection after feeding or navigate between a hiding spot and a host. Their flat body shape also allows them to squeeze into small cracks and crevices, aiding their movement and helping them remain hidden.
How Bed Bugs Find and Reach a Host
Bed bugs do not roam randomly; their movement is highly directed toward a feeding target once they detect a host nearby. They use specialized sensory mechanisms to locate a sleeping person. The primary signal attracting them is the carbon dioxide (CO2) exhaled by a host during sleep.
They sense this CO2 plume, using it as a trail to guide them to the source. Bed bugs are also attracted to body heat, which they detect as they get closer to the host. These host cues are only detectable over short distances, with CO2 being sensed from approximately three feet away.
The immediate feeding sequence involves crawling from their hidden harborages—such as mattress seams, headboards, or nearby furniture—directly onto the host. They typically emerge to feed during the night when the host is inactive, using their crawling speed to quickly find exposed skin. Once the blood meal is complete, they crawl back to their secluded hiding spot to digest and lay eggs.
Passive Travel: The Real Way Bed Bugs Spread
The most significant factor in the spread of bed bugs is passive transport, often called “hitchhiking.” Since they cannot travel long distances on their own, they latch onto items that humans move. This behavior is the main driver of infestation spread across neighborhoods, cities, and countries.
They use tiny hooks on their feet to cling to the rough surfaces of personal belongings. Common transport vectors include luggage, backpacks, clothing left near the bed, and purses. Moving infested used furniture, such as mattresses or couches, also introduces the pests into new homes.
The primary catalyst for their spread is human activity, particularly traveling and the sharing of accommodations like hotels, dormitories, and public transport. By hitching a ride, a bed bug can travel vast distances quickly, bypassing their limitation of crawling only a few feet per minute. Once they arrive in a new location, they establish a new colony.