What Causes Bed Bugs?

If you are experiencing a bed bug infestation at home, some questions that may come to mind are… ‘Where do bed bugs come from in the first place?’ , "How did I get bed bugs?", or "What's causing bed bugs in my home?"

Facts about Bed Bugs

Firstly, we should start knowing a little bit more about bed bugs to get around answering your question. Bed bugs are biting pests and they suck human blood (would prefer to) by locating its prey through heat. Our warm bodies are perfect targets for them.

Bed bugs are also flat and tiny, they are able to hide and crawl away at an average speed of 1 meter per minute. Hiding carefully in tiny cracks and crevices is definitely one of their advantages in making them difficult to find and be spotted easily.

Where Do Be Bugs Come From?

So, how do you get bed bugs into your home? Bed bugs are perfect hitchhikers and are caused by cross-infestations. This means that if you happen to go somewhere with bed bugs, they can latch onto you and start an infestation when they feed and reproduce once you reach home

Where Do Be Bugs Come From?

If you travel frequently…

If you travel frequently, there is a higher chance of you bringing bed bugs home. Bed bugs can be found in lodging and in many forms of transportation such as taxis and airplanes. You risk cross infestation when bed bugs latch onto your clothing or luggage that you bring back home. As a result, frequent travel is one of the biggest causes of bed bugs coming into your homes.

If you went to the cinema…

A full house theatre at the cinema means hot seats everywhere. The warmth would have attracted these bed bugs to come and bite you should there be some hiding and breeding somewhere. Even possible, you bring home one or two of them which are stuck on your clothing.

If you lounge at sofa areas…

The last place that you would expect to get bed bugs are the sofas found in lounge areas. Important! Bed bugs prefer fabric materials over cold metallic surfaces and they even have their own preferred colours. Bed bugs prefer colours such as dark red and black. This explains why sofas with fabric material are definitely bed bug hotspots and with these comfy sofas usually placed at lounge areas, a relaxing place would be the last on your mind you would be on alert.

If you go to a place which is already infested…

For bed bugs to appear in the first place, someone in the house may have had contact with places which are already infested, either knowingly or unknowingly. For example, house visits to a friend’s place and working in infested office spaces.

If you face an infestation at home, bed bug control specialists have the expertise to understand pest behavior, determine the cause of bed bugs, and apply the right treatment methods to eradicate them effectively. The bed bug life cycle is well considered and their favorite hiding hotspots are professionally identified by pest control experts. This is critical because treatments are designed to eradicate bed bugs at all life stages including the eggs and adult bugs, and because they are efficient in their hiding capabilities, identifying key risk areas can heighten bed bug control efficacy.

Preventing Bed Bugs – Tips to Protect Your Home

Now that we’ve explored what causes bed bugs, it’s also important to take practical steps to reduce the chances of bringing them home in the first place. Here are some quick tips to help you avoid an infestation:

• Inspect hotel rooms before settling in – Check the bed frame, mattress seams, and nearby furniture for signs of bed bugs such as small black spots or shed skins.
• Keep your luggage off the floor – Use luggage racks in hotels or temporary accommodations to avoid picking up any unwanted hitchhikers.
• Wash clothes and vacuum bags after travel – High temperatures kill bed bugs, so always launder your clothes in hot water after a trip.
• Be cautious with second-hand furniture – Avoid picking up used furniture from unknown sources. If you do, inspect and clean them thoroughly before bringing them indoors.
• Declutter your home regularly – Reducing clutter limits hiding spots for bed bugs and makes early detection easier.

Should you suspect an issue, don’t wait it out. Learn how to effectively get rid of bed bugs with the help of professionals.

If you are interacting with recycled or 2nd hand fixtures and furniture…

Vintage furniture is a popular décor idea for new homes; they are novel and gives off the nostalgic feel at the same time. Unfortunately, they may be one of the reasons why you have bed bugs in your home.

Many of them whom bring home 2nd hand furniture and fixtures also unknowingly bring back bed bugs which may be breeding and harboring in these pieces. It may come to a late realization for many home owners who discover much later the cause of their bed bug infestation.

Denying Bed Bugs from Your Home with Expert Help

Once you understand what causes bed bugs, how they travel, and how to prevent them, the next step is knowing what to do if they’ve already found their way into your home. The earlier you act, the better the outcome.

While there are various products and DIY methods available, professional pest control remains the most effective and long-term solution. Pest control specialists are trained to identify bed bug hotspots, treat all life stages of the pest, and prevent recurring infestations.

If you suspect a bed bug problem, don’t hesitate. Contact our team today of experts at (65) 6347 8138 to discuss suitable solutions for your home.