Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?
Do you want to know where do bedbugs originate from? We all hope to keep our homes as tidy and free of debris as possible. With kids running around, this can sometimes feel like a losing game.
However, we still try our best to make sure debris and clutter are kept to a minimum. The effort that we put in makes it all the more devastating to find out that bed bugs have invaded your home.
Our homes are supposed to be our safe spaces where our family members and we can feel completely at ease. Bug infestations of all kinds destroy that feeling of comfort and security.
Bed bug infestations are particularly noteworthy, though, due to just how annoying they are to get rid of. There's also the fact that their preferred home is somewhere that we spend a lot of (but never enough) time — our beds.
The best way to get rid of an infestation of bed bugs is to never have them in your house in the first place. Of course, this can be easier said than done and is not much of a consolation when you are in the middle of battling these pests.
Luckily, there are many effective ways to eliminate these blood-sucking insects for good. These remedies do not accomplish very much, though, if the bed bugs come right back into your home afterward. As such, it is integral to understand where bed bugs come from so to keep them out of your home and bed.
Whether you are hoping to prevent bed bugs from ever entering your house, you're currently fending off an infestation, or you want to prevent another swarm in the future, here's what to know about where bed bugs come from.
Historical Background of Bedbugs
Time to go back in time and explain "where do bedbugs originate from?" more specifically. Clearly, bedbugs are not a new headache for humanity. They've been invading people's homes since ancient times. Originally, they came from the Middle East. In caves shared by both humans and bats, these tiny squatters have been documented as far back as Ancient Egypt. While the Pharaohs were building pyramids, bedbugs already found that human habitats were convenient spots to call home. As people started to roam the globe, bedbugs followed, spreading to every corner where humans settled.
Global Spread and Evolution of Bedbugs
Fast forward a few centuries, and bedbugs had gone global, thanks to human migration, trade routes, and, eventually, the advent of global travel. By the time of the Roman Empire, they were known all across Europe and Asia. During the Age of Exploration, as Europeans sailed to lands previously unknown to them, bedbugs followed to the Americas and beyond.
What's fascinating is how they've adapted. Over centuries, bedbugs have evolved to become masters of living in human environments, thriving in bedrooms and places people frequent, all the while becoming stealthier and harder to spot.
Modern Factors in Bedbug Dispersal
So, how are these pests spreading in the modern world? The massive increase in international travel has given bedbugs plenty of opportunities to take over the world through luggage, clothing, and personal belongings. Urbanization has also played a role, with more people living closer together, making it easier for bedbugs to move from one place to another.
Finally, there's the second-hand furniture trade. A vintage couch might look amazing, but could also be harboring some unwanted guests. These factors, combined with bedbugs' growing resistance to traditional pesticides, have made them one of the most persistent pests of the 21st century.
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Since most homes have mattresses, bedding, or some amount of clutter, bed bugs could presumably reside just about anywhere. That being said, there are certain elements that attract bed bugs more than others. Take a look at your home in its current state. Is there anything that could be reduced or removed to lessen the risk of bed bugs?
Several of the key elements that attract bed bugs are the same as what entice other bugs, especially those who feed on blood for their sustenance (looking at you, mosquitoes). They need a way to ensure that they will have a steady food source, and they have to be able to find those food sources in the first place.
Bedbugs prefer to come out and dine at night. They usually feed when you're in deep sleep. And how do they find their way to you? Aside from the body heat and carbon dioxide, the signs you're unwittingly putting up, these pests are masters of hitchhiking. They cling onto luggage, clothes, and pretty much anything that can carry them from one place to another, possibly even a souvenir you brought back from a trip. These bugs can stay very well-hidden until it's feeding time within the unseen corners of your home where they can lay low during the day.
Bed bugs and other blood-sucking insects do this through two primary means. The first is through body heat, and the next is by observing carbon dioxide.
Body Heat
Regrettably, you can't exactly diminish the amount of body heat that you give off. This means that bed bugs will always be able to observe you due to some amount of heat that you are giving off. As a result, we have to make our homes, beds, bedding, and upholstered furniture as inhospitable to these insects as possible.
As icky as this might sound, there is a dose of good news. Bed bugs are only able to sense our body heat from relatively short distances away. In fact, if they are over three feet away, then they will be unable to react to both our body heat and our carbon dioxide output.
All warm-blooded creatures give off body heat, making it an ideal way for blood-sucking pests to clock us. For another way to seek out their prey, bed bugs and other insects look no further than the carbon dioxide that we emit.
Carbon Dioxide
People and animals exhale carbon dioxide as a natural byproduct of breathing. That means that it, unfortunately, can't be stopped, and bed bugs will be able to register us this way. Since there are multiple ways that we attract bed bugs simply by existing, it becomes even more important that we control our other risk factors whenever possible.
Since body heat and carbon dioxide are both found in all sorts of mammals, our pets are not safe from the wrath of a hungry bed bug either. Although we typically associate bed bug bites with people rather than our animal companions, they aren't always picky when it comes to a meal.
If your pet is experiencing itchy welts, it is understandable for your immediate instinct to be that they have fleas. In reality, there are multiple blood-sucking bugs that could be the culprit.
For instance, mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, bed bugs, mites, ants, and more can all use pets as their next food source. This is why it's so crucial to know the characteristics of different bites, so you can know how to treat the spots, even if you don't see the bug directly.
Dirty Laundry and Dirty Bedding
Body heat and carbon dioxide are inevitable parts of being a mammal, but dirty laundry and dirty bedding do not have to be. Bed bugs are attracted to clutter since it allows them to effectively hide from prey and lay eggs. They are especially attracted to clutter or hidden spaces that are frequently trafficked by you and your family.
Bed bugs feed on us while we sleep, which is what makes beds such an enticing home base for them. It also makes them significantly harder to find during the day. However, if they find your bed to be inhospitable for some reason, they can just as easily make a den out of a nearby pile of dirty clothes, pillows, or a nearby pet bed.
It has been studied that bed bugs are attracted to the odor given off by dirty laundry and dirty bedding, so it's always a wise practice to tidy up frequently. Even if you do not clean for the benefit of reducing the risk of bed bugs, it's just best to be sanitary anyway.
Upholstered surfaces are among bed bugs' favorite haunts, but they can also live in wooden bed frames and other kinds of furniture. Check your home frequently, especially if you have reason to believe that you or a family member have been exposed to bed bugs.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Keep an eye on the various surfaces of your home. If you notice any small red-brown insects, it's possible that you have bed bugs.
These bugs might be larger or smaller depending on how recently they have fed. Bed bugs are capable of going several months without feeding, so they can vary somewhat in size.
Also, watch out for minuscule white-yellow bugs since these could be bed bugs in an earlier stage of their life cycle. Finally, bed bug eggs are about a millimeter long and are oval in shape. They are typically white or gray and could be either open or closed, depending on whether or not the bug has hatched yet.
Can Bed Bugs Enter Your Home Through Furniture?
The most common way that bed bugs get into our homes is through furniture that they are already living on. It's possible that bed bugs could invade your space when you purchase new furniture, but the likelihood is lower because the chances of contamination are smaller.
One high-risk situation for introducing a bed bug infestation into your home is when you get used upholstered furniture. Anything from a used mattress to a chair, to a couch, to a box spring, and so much more could do the trick. No one brings bed bugs into their homes by choice, but instead, they often find out after it's too late and the infestation has spread.
Getting an upholstered piece of furniture secondhand might be good for your wallet in the short term, but dealing with the consequences of bed bugs in your home is anything but.
It's still not only the second-hand that's a risk. Even new pieces can come with pests if they've been stored or transported with infested items. Keeping these pests at bay includes a few more strategies than just eyeing your furniture suspiciously.
When staying in hotels, have a quick look at the bed, headboard, and furniture for possible signs of bed bugs. Keep your home clutter-free, not just to please the Marie Kondo in you but to remove hiding spots for bed bugs. A protective cover for your mattress can be an excellent defense by sealing off entry or exit points for the tiny invaders.
In addition to being time-consuming, gross, and not to mention, itchy, it can also cost a lot if you need outside help. Even if you handle the outbreak at home, there's still a great deal of thorough washing to be done. Sadly, the furniture will likely need to be replaced.
What to Do About Bed Bug Bites
If you've determined that you are dealing with bed bugs, chances are that you're already deep in the throes of getting rid of them. Hopefully, the issue will be dealt with quickly and smoothly, but there's still a very itchy problem to handle in the meantime. Some of your best friends in dealing with the uncomfortable itch could be bug bite patches.
If you and your kids are feeling the itch, try out the MagicPatch Itch Relief Patches. With Grid-Relief technology, an itch patch helps alleviate scratchy symptoms without using any harsh chemicals. Kids and adults can both reap the rewards of these patches. They're able to stop bites itching in seconds. Originally crafted to soothe mosquito bites, MagicPatch can come in handy in many pest-related situations.
Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite
First off, these pests have been freeloading off humans across continents and throughout centuries. Their knack for spreading is only matched by their skill in hiding. But knowledge is power. Knowing how they enter and how to stop them from doing so makes you better equipped to keep them at bay.
By being cautious of where you get your furniture, who you spend time around, and what you bring into your home; you can lower the risk of a bed bug infestation significantly. So, keep your eyes peeled, your luggage off the floor in hotels, and your mattresses under a cover. Also, stock up on some Health and Wellness Patches in case you have to deal with the unpleasantries of itchy bed bug bites.
As it turns out, the age-old saying about sleeping tight and letting the bed bugs bite has very actionable roots. No one wants to deal with the consequences of bed bugs in their home. Thankfully, there's more you can do to put a plan into action instead of just wishing that they won't bite.
FAQs
How do bed bugs originally start?
Bed bugs have been companions (or pests, really) of humans for thousands of years, originally living in caves with bats before moving into human homes. That's the core answer to the question of "Where do bedbugs originate from?" They didn't exactly "start" in the way you might think of an outbreak beginning. These bugs have always been around, quietly moving from place to place with humans. Their resurgence in modern times didn't start from a specific point but is more a matter of them taking advantage of opportunities to spread.
What is the main cause of bed bugs?
The main cause isn't as much filth or decay as many think but is primarily hitchhiking and close quarters. Bed bugs are world-class hitchhikers that make their way into luggage, furniture, clothing, and other items that move from one infested area to another. High-density living conditions, like apartment buildings, hotels, and dormitories, provide perfect opportunities for bed bugs to move from one host to another.
How did I get bed bugs in the first place?
Most likely, you brought them from somewhere else. It could have been on a suitcase after a trip, a used piece of furniture that seemed like a steal, or even on your clothes after a movie night at a friend's place. Bed bugs are stealthy and can be present in many environments without being detected. Even the cleanest homes can fall victim to bed bugs if they decide to tag along with you.
Do bed bugs originate from outside?
Not in the way other pests like ants or mosquitoes do. Bed bugs are indoor pests. They've adapted to living in human environments. While they can be found in birds' nests or on bats, the bed bugs that infest human homes don't usually live or originate from the outdoors. They prefer the indoors, where they can have easy access to their favorite food source, which is humans.
So, while you might accidentally bring them in from outside, it's more likely to be from another infested indoor area rather than the great outdoors. But while you're exploring the outdoors, stock up on some mosquito patches for adults and mosquito patches for kids.
