How can bed bugs spread

So if you notice a bed bug infestation in one room of your house, if left untreated they are likely to spread to other bedrooms, living rooms, and other rooms in your house.

At peak speed, bed bugs can move as fast as 4 feet per minute. Realistically, bed bugs can easily travel as much as feet or more in just one hour.

Female bed bugs typically lay an average of one egg per day, although they can lay as many as eggs in a single day at their peak. It takes only days for an egg to hatch, and a bed bug is able to reproduce about 6 weeks after hatching.

And most bed bugs live approximately months. Bed bugs are not known to spread disease. Bed bugs can be an annoyance because their presence may cause itching and loss of sleep. Sometimes the itching can lead to excessive scratching that can sometimes increase the chance of a secondary skin infection.

A bed bug bite affects each person differently. Bite responses can range from an absence of any physical signs of the bite, to a small bite mark, to a serious allergic reaction. Bed bugs are not considered to be dangerous; however, an allergic reaction to several bites may need medical attention. One of the easiest ways to identify a bed bug infestation is by the tell-tale bite marks on the face, neck, arms, hands, or any other body parts while sleeping.

However, these bite marks may take as long as 14 days to develop in some people so it is important to look for other clues when determining if bed bugs have infested an area. These signs include:. Back to Top. When bed bugs bite, they inject an anesthetic and an anticoagulant that prevents a person from realizing they are being bitten. Most people do not realize they have been bitten until bite marks appear anywhere from one to several days after the initial bite.

The bite marks are similar to that of a mosquito or a flea — a slightly swollen and red area that may itch and be irritating. Learn how to safely and quickly remove a leech, as well as how to recognize a leech and when to seek immediate medical treatment.

Termites feed off wood and live in dark environments. A noticeable bug bite is more likely to be from a different insect, but here's what you can look…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. How Bed Bugs Spread. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. How they reproduce Home-to-home spread Person-to-person spread Prevention and protection Do I have bed bugs? Summary Bed bugs are small, wingless, oval-shaped insects. How do bed bugs reproduce? How do bed bugs spread from house to house?

Can bed bugs spread person to person? How to stop the spread of bed bugs. How to tell if you have bedbugs. Read this next. How to Get Rid of Bedbugs. Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. Wash sheets, pillow cases, blankets and bed skirts and put them in a hot dryer for at least 30 minutes. Consider using mattress and box spring covers —the kind used for dust mite control—and put duct tape over the zippers. Seal cracks and crevices and any openings where pipes or wires come into the home.

Should I also try pesticides? If you decide to use pesticides, follow these rules: Only use pesticides that are registered by the U. Environmental Protection Agency look for the U.

EPA Registration Number on the label and make sure they are labeled to control bed bugs. Do not apply pesticides directly to your body there are no repellents registered to control bed bugs that can be used on the human body.

Do not use outdoor pesticides indoors. If you decide to hire a pest control company, make sure they have experience with bed bugs. They should follow the steps of IPM , along with any pesticide application. Use a company that is registered and employs licensed applicators. The Department of Environmental Conservation has a list of registered companies.