How to Prevent Bed Bugs from Spreading Between Flats

Stopping Bed Bugs Spreading Between Flats

Bed bugs are exceptional hitchhikers and, in blocks of flats, can move between units via gaps, shared risers, and people’s belongings. If you suspect activity, the goal is twofold: contain the problem inside your flat and remove it quickly without driving bugs into neighbouring properties. This guide explains what really works, what to avoid, and why professional heat treatment ends infestations with minimal risk of spread.

ThermoPest are specialists in bed bug heat treatment, using whole-room systems designed for UK housing stock — from conversions and maisonettes to high-rise flats.

The problem in multi‑unit buildings

Bed bugs typically hide within 1–2 metres of where we sleep, but they will travel further when food is scarce or after being disturbed by DIY sprays or foggers. In flats, they exploit tiny gaps around skirting, sockets, pipe chases, lift lobbies, bin stores, and any frequent movement of belongings through corridors or communal laundries. Poorly planned treatments can push them sideways into the next unit.

What people believe vs reality

• Belief: “It only happens in dirty homes.” Reality: Cleanliness doesn’t attract or repel bed bugs; they feed on blood, not crumbs.
• Belief: “One can of spray or a smoke bomb will clear them.” Reality: Repellent chemicals and foggers often scatter bugs deeper into cracks — and into neighbouring flats.
• Belief: “A hot wash or a fan heater will sort it.” Reality: Household heat is patchy, leaving cold spots where eggs survive.

Science‑backed facts

• Bed bugs and nymphs can squeeze through gaps as thin as a credit card edge; eggs are immobile but are well insulated in seams and joints.
• They are highly resilient at lower temperatures; eggs are the toughest stage to kill with heat.
• For lethal heat, see what temperature kills bed bugs — professionals target sustained whole-room temperatures so no cold spots remain.

Common mistakes that spread bed bugs between flats

• Dragging mattresses or sofas through communal corridors (bugs drop off en route).
• Using DIY foggers or heavy pyrethroid sprays, which push bugs into wall voids and adjacent units.
• Sharing vacuums/hoovers or laundry baskets without sealing and cleaning them after use.
• Storing suspect items in hallways, lifts, or shared storerooms.
• Blocking vents or over-sealing rooms without a plan (drives bugs into other pathways).
• Attempting piecemeal chemical treatments in only one room of a multi-room flat.

Practical steps you can do now (safely)

• Isolate the bed: Fit interceptor cups under each leg, pull the bed 5–10 cm from walls, and use high‑quality encasements for mattresses and divans. Keep bedding off the floor.
• Seal routes: Use decorator’s caulk or silicone along skirting and around pipe penetrations; fit door sweeps and brush strips on letterboxes; replace missing escutcheon plates on services.
• Laundry correctly: Tumble‑dry clothing and bedding on high heat for at least 30 minutes; bag items before moving them and re‑bag clean, hot‑dried items immediately.
• Vacuum (hoover) precisely: Use a crevice tool for seams and edges; empty the contents into a sealed bag and dispose outdoors straight away.
• Declutter smartly: Reduce harbourages, but do not move items into communal areas; bag and treat room by room.
• Coordinate early: Notify the landlord/management company; adjacent flats may need inspection to prevent re‑seeding.
• Monitor: Use bed leg interceptors and passive monitors to track activity and, after professional works, to monitor your property after treatment.

Why heat treatment stops spread more reliably

Cold spots are removed

Domestic heaters and steamers rarely deliver even heat. Professional systems continuously move and measure air so heat penetrates deep into harbourages (bed frames, skirting voids, wardrobes) where eggs hide.

Sustained lethal temperature

Adults and nymphs succumb quickly above ~50–52°C, but eggs need higher, sustained temperatures. Whole‑room heat maintains lethal conditions for long enough to neutralise every life stage in place.

Sensors and monitoring

ThermoPest uses multiple probes and data loggers on and inside furniture, at floor and ceiling height, and in hard‑to‑heat spots to prove target temperatures have been held. You can read more in our bed bug heat treatment process.

All life stages killed in one visit

A correctly executed treatment heats the entire room envelope, so surviving pockets are avoided and bugs are not driven into neighbouring flats. For the rationale and field results, see why heat treatment works better than chemicals.

ThermoPest expertise

We plan for containment first, then elimination. That means advising you on safe prep, coordinating with neighbours or building management, and using heat to fix the problem quickly without cross‑contamination. Read about our bed bug heat treatment for homes and flats, including preparing your home for treatment. Aftercare includes practical housekeeping and monitor your property after treatment so you know the infestation is gone and stays gone. We also handle complex sites such as HMOs, student blocks, and hospitality, coordinating unit-by-unit with minimal disruption.

FAQs

Can bed bugs travel between flats through walls and pipes?

Yes. Adults and nymphs can move through gaps around skirting, sockets, and service penetrations when searching for a host or escaping disturbance. Eggs do not move themselves but are often laid in concealed joints. Tip: Seal obvious cracks and fit escutcheon plates and door sweeps to reduce easy routes; in professional practice we also inspect risers and shared voids.

Should I use shop-bought foggers to stop spread?

No. Foggers and general aerosols rarely reach hidden harbourages and often drive bugs deeper into structure or into neighbouring units. They can also contaminate surfaces and complicate later professional work. Tip: Avoid foggers; use interceptors and containment while you arrange professional heat treatment — in professional practice we do not use foggers for bed bugs.

What temperature will kill bed bugs and eggs?

Adults and nymphs die quickly above roughly 50–52°C, but eggs need higher temperatures held for longer to be reliable across the whole room. DIY heat sources leave cold spots where eggs survive. Tip: Use a tumble dryer on high for at least 30 minutes for bagged textiles; in professional practice we hold 56–60°C across the room envelope with sensors logging time and temperature.

Why do bed bugs seem to come back after treatment?

This is often re‑introduction (picked up elsewhere) rather than survival, or it may be eggs surviving patchy DIY or chemical-only work. Without sustained, even heat, cold spots and resistant populations can linger. Tip: Keep monitors in place after treatment and minimise second‑hand or corridor transfers; in professional practice we confirm eradication with inspection and data-logged heat records.

How should a flat prepare for professional heat treatment in a block?

Remove aerosols, candles, and heat-sensitive items, and place clothes and bedding into heat-safe bags ready for drying. Loosen clutter so air can circulate, pull furniture slightly from walls, and do not move items into communal areas. Tip: Follow the provider’s written checklist to the letter and keep items contained in the flat; in professional practice, correct prep speeds up eradication and reduces spread risk.

FAQ’S

Question: Can bed bugs travel between flats through walls and pipes?

Answer: Yes. Adults and nymphs can move through gaps around skirting, sockets, and service penetrations when searching for a host or escaping disturbance. Eggs do not move themselves but are often laid in concealed joints. Tip: Seal obvious cracks and fit escutcheon plates and door sweeps to reduce easy routes; in professional practice we also inspect risers and shared voids.

Question: Should I use shop-bought foggers to stop spread?

Answer: No. Foggers and general aerosols rarely reach hidden harbourages and often drive bugs deeper into structure or into neighbouring units. They can also contaminate surfaces and complicate later professional work. Tip: Avoid foggers; use interceptors and containment while you arrange professional heat treatment — in professional practice we do not use foggers for bed bugs.

Question: What temperature will kill bed bugs and eggs?

Answer: Adults and nymphs die quickly above roughly 50–52°C, but eggs need higher temperatures held for longer to be reliable across the whole room. DIY heat sources leave cold spots where eggs survive. Tip: Use a tumble dryer on high for at least 30 minutes for bagged textiles; in professional practice we hold 56–60°C across the room envelope with sensors logging time and temperature.

Question: Why do bed bugs seem to come back after treatment?

Answer: This is often re‑introduction (picked up elsewhere) rather than survival, or it may be eggs surviving patchy DIY or chemical-only work. Without sustained, even heat, cold spots and resistant populations can linger. Tip: Keep monitors in place after treatment and minimise second‑hand or corridor transfers; in professional practice we confirm eradication with inspection and data-logged heat records.

Question: How should a flat prepare for professional heat treatment in a block?

Answer: Remove aerosols, candles, and heat-sensitive items, and place clothes and bedding into heat-safe bags ready for drying. Loosen clutter so air can circulate, pull furniture slightly from walls, and do not move items into communal areas. Tip: Follow the provider’s written checklist to the letter and keep items contained in the flat; in professional practice, correct prep speeds up eradication and reduces spread risk.

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