Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?
One of the most common questions we get is, "Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?" At ThermoPest, we’re here to provide the answer.
Bed bugs are found all over the world and can infest anywhere, regardless of how clean your home or business is. They aren’t attracted to dirt or food but rather to warmth, carbon dioxide, and human blood—their main source of food. These elusive pests hide in electronics, box springs, and stuffed toys, making them notoriously hard to get rid of once they settle in.
In the UK, bed bug infestations are most commonly linked to travel and used household items. When you travel, bedbugs get inspired to take their own holiday, crawling into your suitcase, clothing, or personal belongings, spreading them long distances. Buying used furniture, especially mattresses, sofas, or box springs, without proper inspection can also introduce bed bugs into your home.
Once inside, bed bugs nest in clever hiding spots, like loose wallpaper, mattress seams, and upholstered surfaces, only coming out at night to feed. In apartment buildings, they can crawl through small cracks, electrical outlets, and pipes, spreading between rooms and creating a big bed bug problem.
Here’s a look at the common places bed bugs come from in the United Kingdom.
Where do bed bugs come from and how do they spread?
Wondering how you got your bedbug problem? Here are some of the most common ways bedbugs enter your home:
Travel & Hotel Stays
Bed bugs love hotel rooms, hostels, and holiday rentals where they can easily transfer between guests. If you want to avoid bringing bed bugs home, always keep luggage on a suitcase stand, inspect upholstered surfaces and box springs for stains or shed skins, and always give your clothes a hot wash after your trip.
Second-Hand Furniture
Buying second-hand furniture without checking for signs of infestation is one of the most common ways to bring bed bugs into your home. These pests hide in mattress seams, box springs, and even furniture joints waiting for their next food source. If you’re purchasing used items, always inspect for dark yellow eggs, shed skins, and reddish-brown bugs, and if in doubt, it’s better to find another piece.
Flats & Multi-Unit Buildings
In a block of flats, bed bugs can spread through walls, plumbing, and electrical outlets, making them particularly difficult to contain. If you live in a flat or apartment complex, it’s essential to seal cracks, report any signs of bed bugs to your local council or pest control company, and take action quickly to prevent bed bugs from spreading further. Sings of bed bugs include bite marks, skin sheds, and faecal stains.
Public Transport & Shared Spaces
Although rare, bed bugs have been found on transportation, like buses, trains, and planes. They can also infest schools, offices, hospitals, and care homes, especially if people unknowingly transport them in bags or clothing. While they don’t transmit disease, bedbug bites can cause itching, painful swelling, and even health problems for some individuals. To treat bites, keep the affected area clean.
Think You Might a Bed Bug Infestation? Act Now
If you’ve spotted bedbug bites, eggs, or reddish-brown insects, there’s no time to lose. While these pesky critters can survive between 20 and 400 days without feeding, under the right conditions, they’re always looking for their next meal – you.
Regular cleaning and vacuuming can help catch early signs of bedbugs, though they aren’t only found in dirty places. Sealing cracks in walls and furniture prevents them from spreading, especially in residential buildings.
To stop bed bugs in their tracks, encasing your mattress and box spring in a plastic bag can trap them inside. This not only prevents them from feeding on you but will eventually eliminate them. Washing clothes and linens in a hot wash, followed by a tumble dry on a high heat setting, can kill any hitchhiking bed bugs or eggs. Keeping your home clutter-free and vacuuming regularly gives them fewer hideouts, making it harder for bed bugs to settle in.
The best way to get rid of bed bugs completely is with professionals. Heat treatment is the most effective method, using extreme heat to kill all bed bugs, eggs, and nymphs in a single session. If you suspect an infestation, speak to our experts—we’ll help you get rid of bed bugs permanently and keep your home bed bug-free. If you have unexplained bites, be sure to monitor bed bugs.
5 Facts About Bed Bugs:
1.) Bed Bugs are Very Old
Bed bugs have been around for centuries—they originally lived in caves, feeding on bats in the Middle East before spreading worldwide through human civilisation and trade. They later made their way to the Americas with European settlers.
2.) Bed Bugs Like to Travel
They can enter homes in multiple ways, usually by hitching a ride on clothing, luggage, or furniture from an infested location. Whether you’ve stayed in a hotel, taken public transport, or brought home a second-hand sofa, these pests can sneak in unnoticed.
3.) Bed Bigs Love Clean Homes
Clean homes aren’t immune to bed bugs—they don’t feed on dirt, just blood. As long as they have access to food, they can thrive anywhere, whether in a luxury hotel or a shared flat.
4.) Bed Bugs Love Secondhand furniture
Second-hand furniture is a common culprit. Without a thorough inspection, you could bring home an active bed bug population along with your new bargain.
5.) Bed Bugs Don’t Just Live in Beds
Bed bugs aren’t just found in homes—they can spread through schools, offices, colleges, and preschool facilities, anywhere people gather, rest, or leave belongings for long periods. Once inside, they hide in tiny cracks and crevices, emerging at night to feed, leaving behind bites and itchy skin
Though bed bugs are small, they can cause big problems—if you think you’ve spotted signs of an infestation, act fast to stop them in their tracks!
Our Bed Bug Heat Treatments
If you think a bed bug infestation is present at your home or business, it’s vital to take immediate action to address the problem, as bed bugs can multiply and spread rapidly. Professional pest control services are necessary to eradicate a bed bug infestation permanently. ThermoPest always recommends a bed bug heat treatment for effective and permanent extermination of bed bug infestations. Give us a call or pop us an email today- our friendly team is always happy to chat about your pest issues and answer any questions you may have.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see bed bugs?
Yes, bed bugs are small but visible—though they are very good at flattening themselves and hiding. Once fully grown, the bugs are red/brown and measure around 4-5mm. Can you see bed bugs?
What causes bed bugs?
Bed bugs can be found anywhere that humans live because they feed on human blood. This attracts them to any environment where they can hide out—with mattresses and upholstery the prime targets. What causes bed bugs?
What are the signs that I have bed bugs?
Bed bugs are difficult to identify in the early stages of their life cycles. Most infestations are discovered due to bite marks and itching from residents. Pest control professionals can usually identify droppings on bedding, uncover the places where the bugs hide and even smell the strong, sweet odours of a mature infestation. What are the signs that I have bed bugs?
How do I kill bed bugs?
Getting rid of bed bugs is not an easy task. Predominately, this is due to the nocturnal nature and ability for bed bugs to hide in small cracks and crevices. Sightings of bed bugs, it normally indicates that there is a serious bed bug infestation and requires a professional bed bug treatment. How do I kill bed bugs?
What do bed bug bites look like?
We are often asked what do bed bug bites look like? The problem is that bed bug bites can be easily confused with other insect bites. Each person bitten by bed bugs reacts differently, but there are some typical indicators. What do bed bug bites look like?
Where do bed bugs bite?
They get their name because they hide in areas that are related to the bed, such as a mattress, pillows, box springs, bed frames, and other furniture. They usually remain close to the host and usually bite at night when we are sleeping. Where do bed bugs bite?
Where do bed bugs come from?
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) have existed for thousands of years and gradually adapted to feed on humans. They’re not caused by poor hygiene – but common in places with high human turnover like hotels, dorms, public transport, and shared housing. They hide in beds, furniture, or cracks in walls and reproduce quickly.Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) have existed for thousands of years and gradually adapted to feed on humans. They’re not caused by poor hygiene – but common in places with high human turnover like hotels, dorms, public transport, and shared housing. They hide in beds, furniture, or cracks in walls and reproduce quickly. If you need a bed bug exterminator near you, get in contact with one of our team today. Where do bed bugs come from?
How to get rid of bed bugs?
Bed bug heat treatment is a method used to eliminate bedbugs by subjecting them to high temperatures. This approach relies on the sensitivity of bedbugs to heat, as they cannot survive when exposed to temperatures above a certain threshold. How to get rid of bed bugs?
How to check for bed bugs
One of the most common questions we get is, “How to check for bed bugs?” You Check for bed bugs by inspecting mattress seams, bed frames, and furniture for small reddish-brown bugs, tiny black fecal spots, or shed skins.
Do you do emergency pest control?
Yes we do emergency pest control in homes or commercial premises to minimise disruption and risk to health. We can advise you about the most effective insect control solutions for your particular problem.
What happens during the first visit?
During the initial treatment on first visit a pest controller will assess entry points, recommend various methods based on the infestation and place bed bug monitors if required.
What pests do you treat?
We treat a wide range including bed bugs, carpet beetles, clothes moths and more. Whether you need moth control or insect control we will tailor our approach to the species and environment.
Is your pest control safe for my family and workplace?
Yes. All our expert pest control services comply with strict health and safety regulations to protect people, pets and property so you will have a safe and pest free environment after treatment.
Do you do pest control in my area?
Yes, our local pest control teams can help with any pest control needs quickly and effectively.
Homeowners and Businesses Trust ThermoPest
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