Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?

by | Apr 23, 2018 | Bed Bugs Facts

bed bug

With the ongoing infestations being reported around the country in pandemic proportions, you may be asking yourself, Where Do Bed Bugs Come From? Bed bugs have actually existed for centuries but it is only in the last decade where there has been a resurgence that has affected such a large percentage of the population. Previously, pesticides had been effective at controlling bed bug infestations, but today it seems that today’s breed of bed bugs are more resistant to this chemical warfare.

bed bug

Bed Bug Geography

Originally, bed bugs were thought to have come from Africa and Asia since they particularly like tropical climates. However, they have also been found in Europe and now, of course, North America and South America as well as Australia. As such, when you pose the question, Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?, it doesn’t really matter in a geographic sense. That’s because they are incredible hitchhikers and their small size and hardiness make it easy for them to travel from place to place, picking up blood nourishment along the way from travelers and soldiers.

Main places to find bed bugs include

  • Hotels, motels, inns and hostels
  • Gyms
  • Schools
  • Office buildings
  • Dorm rooms and apartments
  • Residences
  • Shelters

Within these locales, bed bugs like to hide in a number of dark locations:

1. Cracks, crevices, seams, nooks and crannies

2. Floorboards and baseboards

3. Mattresses, bed frames, headboards and bedding

4. Backpacks, luggage, and handbags

5. Clothing, shoes, socks and hats

6. On people

The scariest aspect of figuring out where bed bugs originate is actually in their breeding cycle:

  • One mature female bed bug can lay five eggs per day and up to 500 eggs in her lifetime.
  • They multiply and mature quickly, which creates hundreds more females that then can also lay eggs.
  • They can go months and up to a year without feeding and manage to survive.

In keeping all of these facts in mind, it is easy to see how the bed bug infestation problem has grown so quickly, especially since most people and business owners were not really aware how easily bed bugs can be transferred from one place to another and how quickly they multiply once entrenched.  All of this is a good reminder to be vigilant and proactive in searching for bed bugs in homes, schools, businesses and other buildings.

bed bug colony in mattress

In Review – Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “where do bed bugs come from?,” consider these points about the geographic and biological origin of bed bugs:

  • They are found all over the world, largely in temperate climates, and somewhat immune to past chemical treatments.
  • They are adept travelers and this is what makes infestation so easily spread from place to place.
  • They are difficult to see and have a wide range of hiding places beyond just beds.
  • They mature rapidly and produce a lot of eggs rather quickly.
  • They are resilient and can survive without feeding for months or even a year.
  • All of these facts underscores the need to be proactive with a bed bug inspection and extermination strategy.

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