Let’s bust a myth straight away: Bed bugs can’t jump. These tiny pests are well-known for their secretive nature in our homes, but jumping is not in their skill set. However, their remarkable speed and agility as crawlers sets them apart.
In this article, we’ll explore bed bugs’ intriguing yet unsettling characteristics, their movement patterns, how they proliferate across different environments, what attracts them explicitly to human habitats, and the strategies for managing these persistent pests.
How Fast Do Bed Bugs Move
Bed bugs might not be Olympic sprinters, but they are surprisingly fast for their size. Capable of moving about one meter per minute, these pests can easily travel between rooms and flats. Imagine a bed bug in an apartment block; it could move from one floor to another in hours on foot, and even faster if it finds a convenient ‘ride’ on a human or their belongings. This speed, coupled with their nocturnal nature, makes them adept at going unnoticed while they relocate to new areas in search of food.
Because bed bugs are most active at night, they emerge from their hiding places in mattresses, bed frames, and other furniture to feed. Bed bugs are adept at finding and squeezing into tiny spaces too, making them difficult to detect and eradicate.
How Do Bed Bugs Spread
The spread of bed bugs from one home to another is primarily through human activity. These tiny hitchhikers often latch onto luggage, clothing, and furniture to enter new environments. Their presence in public transport is particularly concerning. Trains, buses, and planes are ideal for bed bugs to find new hosts, given the high volume of people and belongings moving in and out. This ease of movement highlights the importance of regular checks and early detection, especially in public accommodations and transport systems. In fact, we at Merlin use bed bug sniffer dogs to assist many transport companies in detecting and eradicating bed bugs.
Bed bugs spread mainly by catching a ride on items like suitcases, clothes, or furniture. When people travel or bring these items into their homes, they might accidentally bring bed bugs.
In places like apartment buildings or hotels, bed bugs can move from one room to another through tiny gaps in the walls or floors. Most people don’t know they’re carrying bed bugs due to their excellent hiding abilities, which makes it easy for these bugs to spread to new places. It’s essential to know about bed bugs to stop them from spreading and eliminate them if they appear.
What Attracts Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are primarily attracted to warmth and the carbon dioxide exhaled by humans. Their preference for human blood as a food source drives them to environments where humans reside.
Remarkably, bed bugs can survive for months without feeding, making them resilient pests that can linger in homes even when they seem inactive.
Their ability to detect the carbon dioxide from our breathing is a key factor in their effectiveness as nocturnal feeders. When they detect carbon monoxide after dark, they spring into action, biting and drinking blood.
What Insect Can Jump and Bite Me?
If you’re dealing with an insect that jumps and bites, it’s likely a flea. Fleas are known for their remarkable jumping abilities, which they use to move between hosts and avoid danger. Unlike bed bugs, fleas can jump as high as 50 times their body length, making them one of the most proficient jumpers in the animal kingdom. Their bites, often around the ankles and legs, are a telltale sign of their presence.
How Merlin Can Help
Whether you have fleas or bed bugs, Merlin can help identify the pest and remove it.
Merlin Environmental, a leader in pest control, offers comprehensive solutions for bed bug and flea infestations. Our expertise in identifying, treating, and preventing pest problems is second to none. Utilising advanced heat treatment techniques and equipped with a thorough understanding of insect behaviour, Merlin Environmental provides effective solutions to eliminate pests and prevent them from returning.
