Bed bugs are annoying pests with a tendency to cause a great deal of anxiety. They feed at night, are excellent at hiding in hard-to-reach places and easily travel from place to place without anyone realizing. They are often compared to other pest insects, too, especially ones that have a parasitic nature, like fleas. Bed bugs seem to appear out of nowhere, but can they fly or jump? The short answer — no.
Bed Bugs Do Not Jump
In short, bed bugs cannot jump. They do not have wings and are incapable of flight. Unlike other types of parasitic insects, such as fleas, bed bugs are not able to hop or move rapidly in a particular direction. Bed bugs travel from place to place simply by crawling.
How Bed Bugs Get Around
Bed bugs’ tendency to hitchhike and move easily from place to place is the result of their traveling nature and ability to cling tightly to whatever surface or object they are attached to. They climb on clothes, luggage, and other items before emerging in a new environment to feast on humans at night. They’re extremely small and difficult to detect.
Because bed bugs can be hard to spot, an infestation can often spread without anyone knowing after traveling or even buying secondhand goods. It’s a good idea to keep an eye out for the warning signs of bed bugs when traveling, thoroughly clean luggage and clothing with a vacuum and/or hot water after returning home, and examine all new and used furniture or household items before they enter your home.
The main bed bug behaviors that are often major causes of fear or anxiety are how quickly they are able to reproduce and their ability to feed on a human host when the host is unaware of it (usually during sleep). They often bite multiple times in a pattern of three or more places in close proximity, sometimes known as “breakfast, lunch, and dinner” bites. Once they’ve finished their blood meal, bed bugs typically retreat back into their hiding spots which can include your bed frame, box spring, headboard, or other furniture close to where you sleep.
What To Do About Bed Bugs
If you think you have a bed bug problem, the first thing to do is call the professionals. Bed bugs spread very quickly, and if you’ve noticed the early signs of a bed bug problem, you might be dealing with a serious issue in no time. The average DIY-er won’t be able to eradicate bed bugs on their own, but pest control companies have the tools, equipment, and knowledge to stop bed bug infestations before they get even worse. At Dodson Pest Control, we are highly trained and experienced in getting rid of bed bugs, and we’re here to help you get rid of your pest problem! Contact us today for a free inspection.
