Do cats transmit bedbugs?

Understanding Bed Bugs

What are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, wingless insects that feed exclusively on the blood of warm‑blooded animals. Adult individuals measure 4–5 mm in length, have a flattened oval body, and display a reddish‑brown color after feeding. Their mouthparts are adapted for piercing skin and extracting blood through a rapid, painless bite.

Key biological traits include:

Life cycle: Eggs hatch within 6–10 days; nymphs pass through five molts before reaching adulthood, each stage requiring a blood meal. The complete development can occur in as little as one month under optimal temperature and humidity.
Habitat preferences: Prefer crevices near sleeping areas—mattress seams, box‑spring folds, headboards, and cracks in furniture. They survive several months without a blood source, allowing them to persist in vacant dwellings.
Feeding behavior: Typically feed at night, attracted by body heat and carbon dioxide. A single bite may last seconds, delivering up to 0.01 ml of blood.
Health impact: Bites can cause localized itching, inflammation, and allergic reactions. No disease transmission to humans has been documented, but secondary skin infections may arise from scratching.

Bed bugs do not rely on animals such as cats for dispersal; they spread primarily through human activity—transport of infested luggage, clothing, or furniture. Direct contact with a cat does not provide a viable pathway for the insects to move between environments, as the pests lack the ability to cling to fur for extended periods. Control measures focus on thorough inspection, heat treatment, and targeted insecticide application to eradicate established populations.

Bed Bug Biology and Behavior

Life Cycle

Bedbugs (Cimex lectularius) follow a simple, direct developmental sequence that does not require a vertebrate host for reproduction. The insect lays eggs, which hatch into nymphs; nymphs undergo successive molts before reaching adulthood, at which point they can reproduce.

Egg – Small, white, adhesive capsules deposited in cracks or seams near a host’s resting area. Incubation lasts 6–10 days under optimal temperature and humidity.
First‑through‑Fifth Instar Nymphs – Each stage requires a blood meal before molting. Developmental time for each instar ranges from 4 to 10 days, depending on environmental conditions.
Adult – Fully wingless, capable of feeding every 3–7 days. Adults live several months and may produce hundreds of eggs over their lifespan.

Cats do not serve as biological vectors for bedbugs; the insects do not feed on feline blood. Nevertheless, cats can transport bedbugs passively. Fur, paws, or bedding used by a cat may harbor eggs or nymphs, allowing the insects to relocate to new environments. The life‑cycle stages remain unchanged during such movement, and infestation risk persists if the transferred individuals find suitable harborages and hosts for feeding.

Feeding Habits

Cats are obligate carnivores whose diet consists primarily of animal protein. They consume prey such as rodents, birds, and insects, which may carry ectoparasites, but the nutritional intake itself does not provide a pathway for bedbugs to move between hosts.

Bedbugs (Cimex spp.) are hematophagous insects that feed exclusively on warm‑blooded vertebrates. Their life cycle requires direct contact with a host’s skin to obtain blood meals. Cats’ grooming behavior removes external parasites, including any bedbugs that might temporarily cling to the fur. Grooming reduces the likelihood that a bedbug will remain on the animal long enough to locate a feeding site.

Key points linking feline feeding habits to bedbug transmission:

Prey consumption: Ingesting rodents or birds eliminates any bedbugs present on the prey, preventing the insects from being transferred to the cat.
Absence of blood‑feeding: Cats do not ingest blood from other animals; they obtain nutrients through solid food, eliminating a direct route for bedbug ingestion.
Grooming efficiency: Regular self‑cleaning dislodges insects, limiting the chance of bedbugs establishing a foothold on the cat’s coat.
Environmental exposure: Cats that roam outdoors may encounter infested areas, yet their feeding patterns do not facilitate the spread of bedbugs to human sleeping quarters.

Overall, feline dietary practices and grooming habits do not support the movement of bedbugs from cats to humans or other animals. The primary vectors for bedbug dispersion remain human travel, luggage, and infested furniture, not the feeding behavior of cats.

Habitat and Hiding Places

Cats frequently occupy the same micro‑environments where bedbugs thrive, creating a potential pathway for passive transport of the insects. Bedbugs are obligate blood‑feeders that require close proximity to a host for feeding but spend most of their life cycle concealed in secure, temperature‑stable locations. Understanding these habitats clarifies how feline movement can intersect with bedbug populations.

Typical bedbug refuges include:

Mattress seams, box‑spring cavities, and headboard cracks.
Upholstered furniture joints, cushion folds, and under‑seat gaps.
Wall baseboards, electrical outlet covers, and floor‑board voids.
Luggage compartments, backpacks, and travel accessories.
Pet bedding, cages, and carrier interiors when placed near infested areas.

Cats often rest on or within these sites: they curl on mattresses, perch on upholstered chairs, hide behind baseboards, and travel in carriers that may have been stored in contaminated environments. While cats do not provide a blood source for bedbugs, their fur and paws can pick up insects that are later deposited elsewhere. The likelihood of transfer increases when a cat moves between an infested zone and a clean area without a thorough cleaning routine.

Control measures that address both feline behavior and bedbug habitats reduce the risk of spread. Regular inspection of sleeping surfaces, vacuuming of pet resting spots, and laundering of cat bedding in hot water disrupt the insects’ hiding places and limit opportunities for cats to act as inadvertent carriers.

The Role of Pets in Bed Bug Transmission

How Bed Bugs Spread

Human-Mediated Transmission

Cats seldom carry bedbugs, yet human activity frequently moves these insects between locations. When a cat is moved, transported, or handled, any bedbugs attached to its fur, paws, or bedding may be dislodged onto clothing, luggage, or furniture. Consequently, people become the primary agents that spread infestations.

Typical human‑mediated pathways include:

Transport of infested pet carriers, crates, or grooming tools.
Placement of a cat’s bedding on shared surfaces such as sofas or hotel rooms.
Direct contact with a cat that has recently visited an infested environment, followed by handling without proper decontamination.
Movement of personal items (clothing, bags) that have brushed against a cat’s fur or its sleeping area.

Preventive measures focus on minimizing these vectors:

Inspect and clean pet carriers before travel; vacuum and launder all fabrics at high temperatures.
Keep a cat’s bedding separate from human sleeping areas; wash bedding weekly.
Wear disposable gloves when handling a cat from a known infested site; wash hands and clothing immediately afterward.
Conduct routine visual inspections of pets, their accessories, and surrounding furniture for signs of bedbugs.

By controlling the human‑driven steps that transfer insects, the risk of spreading bedbugs through feline contact remains low.

Environmental Factors

Cats are not biological hosts for Cimex species, but environmental conditions that favor bed‑bug populations can create incidental contact between felines and insects.

Warm temperatures accelerate bed‑bug development. Indoor climates maintained between 22 °C and 30 °C support egg hatching and molting, increasing the likelihood that insects encounter a cat moving through infested areas.

High relative humidity (≥ 60 %) prolongs adult survival. Moist environments in kitchens, bathrooms, or poorly ventilated rooms allow bugs to remain active longer, raising the probability of transfer to a pet’s fur or paws.

Cluttered spaces provide hiding places. Stacked clothing, upholstered furniture, and unwashed bedding serve as reservoirs where bed bugs aggregate; a cat navigating such items can acquire insects without direct feeding.

Outdoor access introduces external sources. Cats that roam outdoors may encounter infested gardens, barns, or neighboring apartments, bringing bugs indoors on their coats.

Seasonal peaks correspond with warmer months. Summer and early autumn see increased infestation rates, correlating with higher cat activity outdoors and elevated indoor temperatures.

Key environmental factors influencing incidental cat‑bed‑bug contact:

Indoor temperature within the optimal development range.
Relative humidity above 60 %.
Presence of clutter and fabric‐rich hiding spots.
Unrestricted outdoor movement.
Seasonal temperature rise.

Can Pets Carry Bed Bugs?

Physical Characteristics of Bed Bugs on Pets

Bed bugs that infest pets retain the same fundamental morphology as those found in human environments, but their appearance on animals often includes additional cues from the host’s fur and skin. Adult specimens measure 4–5 mm in length, are oval‑shaped, and display a flat dorsal surface when unfed. After a blood meal, the abdomen expands to approximately 6–7 mm, taking on a reddish‑brown hue that contrasts with the lighter, matte coloration of unfed individuals. Nymphs progress through five instars; each stage is 1–2 mm smaller than the adult and shows a progressively darker shade after feeding.

Key physical features observable on cats and other pets include:

Body segmentation – a distinct head, thorax, and abdomen separated by a thin membrane; the head is concealed beneath the thorax when the bug is at rest.
Antennae – six elongated, segmented sensory organs positioned near the mouthparts, useful for detecting host cues.
Mouthparts – a beak‑like proboscis capable of penetrating fur and skin to access blood vessels.
Legs – six slender legs ending in tiny claws that enable rapid movement across fur and smooth surfaces.
Exoskeleton – a hardened, chitinous shell that resists crushing and provides protection during grooming or scratching.

When feeding on a pet, the insect’s abdomen swells, creating a visible bulge that may be mistaken for a skin lesion. After digestion, the bug returns to a flattened posture, often slipping into the animal’s bedding, carpet fibers, or crevices near resting areas. The presence of shed exoskeletons (exuviae) and dark specks of fecal matter—approximately 0.5 mm in size—are additional diagnostic markers. These characteristics enable accurate identification and differentiate bed bug infestations from other ectoparasites such as fleas or mites.

Differences Between Fleas, Ticks, and Bed Bugs on Animals

Fleas, ticks, and bed bugs represent three separate groups of ectoparasites that frequently appear on domestic animals, yet each exhibits distinct morphology, life cycle, host preference, and disease potential.

Fleas are wingless, laterally compressed insects about 2–4 mm long. Their life cycle comprises egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages, all of which occur in the environment rather than on the host. Adult fleas jump onto warm‑blooded mammals, with cats and dogs serving as primary hosts. They cause pruritus, anemia, and can transmit Bartonella henselae and Dipylidium caninum. Control requires topical or systemic insecticides and regular environmental cleaning.

Ticks belong to the arachnid class and possess eight legs. Before feeding they appear flat; after engorgement they expand dramatically. Development proceeds through egg, larva, nymph, and adult, each stage requiring a blood meal from a host. Ticks attach firmly to skin, feed for several days, and are common on cats, dogs, and wildlife. They transmit Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia canis, and other bacterial agents, and may induce severe anemia. Effective management includes regular grooming, acaricide collars, and habitat reduction.

Bed bugs are true bugs (Cimex lectularius) with an oval, reddish‑brown body about 5 mm long. Their life cycle includes egg, five nymphal instars, and adult, all occurring in sheltered cracks and crevices. They feed exclusively on the blood of humans and, less often, birds. Cats are not suitable hosts; bed bugs do not reproduce on feline skin and rarely feed on cats. A cat may acquire bed bugs passively when moving through an infested room, but the insect does not establish a population on the animal.

Key distinctions:

Taxonomy: flea (insect) vs tick (arachnid) vs bed bug (hemipteran).
Body shape: laterally compressed (flea) / flat‑to‑engorged (tick) / oval (bed bug).
Life‑stage environment: flea and bed bug development primarily off‑host; tick stages require host blood at each molt.
Primary hosts: fleas – cats/dogs; ticks – cats/dogs/wildlife; bed bugs – humans.
Disease vectors: fleas – bacterial and tapeworm agents; ticks – bacterial pathogens; bed bugs – minimal vector role, occasional allergic reactions.

Cats do not act as biological vectors for bed bugs. The insects do not feed, reproduce, or complete their life cycle on feline hosts. Mechanical transport of bed bugs by a cat is possible, yet transmission to humans depends on the presence of a contaminated environment rather than the animal itself. Control strategies therefore focus on environmental treatment, sealing cracks, and regular inspection of sleeping areas, while flea and tick prevention remain cat‑oriented.

Cats and Bed Bugs: The Connection

Do Bed Bugs Live on Cats?

Bed bugs are not adapted to inhabit cats as a primary host. Their life cycle depends on feeding on exposed skin, typically that of humans, and they require a stable environment such as mattresses, furniture seams, or wall crevices where they can hide during daylight hours. The dense fur and regular grooming of cats create a hostile surface that prevents bed bugs from establishing a sustainable population.

Incidental contact can occur when a cat moves through an infested room or crawls onto a contaminated piece of furniture. In such cases, a few adult insects or nymphs may cling to the animal’s coat, but they do not feed on the cat, nor do they reproduce on it. The temporary presence of bed bugs on a cat does not translate into a viable breeding site.

Key points for owners concerned about possible transfer:

Inspect bedding, cushions, and pet carriers for small, rust‑colored spots (fecal stains) or shed exoskeletons.
Use a fine‑toothed comb or lint roller on the cat’s fur to remove any visible insects.
Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and pet sleeping areas thoroughly; discard vacuum bags promptly.
Apply approved bed‑bug treatments to the environment, not directly to the animal, unless a veterinarian advises otherwise.

Effective control focuses on eliminating the insects from the indoor habitat rather than treating the cat. Regular cleaning and targeted chemical or heat treatments in the home reduce the risk of cats unintentionally moving bed bugs between rooms.

How Cats Might Encounter Bed Bugs

Cats can come into contact with bed‑bugs through several common pathways.

Shared sleeping areas – when a cat rests on a bed, couch, or upholstered furniture that hosts a bed‑bug infestation, it may pick up insects or eggs on its fur.
Travel in infested environments – boarding a hotel, visiting a friend’s home, or staying in a shelter where bed‑bugs are present exposes the animal to the pests.
Contact with infested humans – cats often groom owners who have been bitten; insects clinging to human clothing or skin can transfer to the cat’s coat.
Outdoor exposure – roaming in areas with abandoned buildings, apartments, or public transport that harbor bed‑bugs provides a route for accidental pickup.

These situations create opportunities for cats to encounter bed‑bugs, though the insects do not rely on feline hosts for reproduction or dispersal.

Bed Bugs on Cats: Unlikely Hosts

Grooming Habits of Cats

Cats devote a large portion of their daily activity to self‑cleaning. Their tongues are covered with microscopic hook‑shaped papillae that scrape loose hair, debris, and superficial parasites from the coat. This mechanical action removes most ectoparasites that are not deeply embedded in the skin.

During grooming, cats also distribute saliva across their fur. Saliva contains enzymes that break down keratin and can deter some insects, but it does not kill bedbug eggs or nymphs that have already attached to the animal’s body. The saliva‑coated fur may become slightly sticky, which can trap small particles, yet bedbugs are capable of clinging to hair without being dislodged.

Key aspects of feline grooming relevant to potential bedbug transfer:

Frequency: Cats groom every 30–45 minutes, limiting the time pests can remain on the animal.
Depth of reach: The tongue reaches only surface layers; bedbugs that have penetrated deeper into the skin or are lodged in the ear canal are unlikely to be removed.
Environmental contact: Grooming often moves parasites from the cat’s body to surrounding surfaces (bedding, furniture) where bedbugs can survive and reproduce.

Consequently, while a cat’s grooming routine reduces the number of visible insects on its coat, it does not provide a reliable barrier against the spread of bedbugs. Cats can act as mechanical carriers, transporting insects from an infested area to clean environments through their fur and paws. Effective control of bedbug populations therefore requires direct environmental treatment rather than reliance on feline grooming behavior.

Short-Term Hitchhikers vs. Infestation

Cats can carry bedbugs on fur or paws for a few hours after contact with an infested environment. This brief carriage is termed short‑term hitchhiking. The insects remain alive but do not establish a breeding population on the animal because bedbugs require a stable, warm shelter near a human host to reproduce.

Key distinctions between temporary transport and a genuine infestation include:

Duration: Hitchhikers survive on the cat for minutes to a day; an infestation persists for weeks or months.
Reproduction: Bedbugs lay eggs only in protected crevices, not on moving fur. An infestation involves egg clusters, nymphs, and adults in bedding or furniture.
Population growth: Short‑term carriers may introduce a few individuals to a new location, but numbers remain low. Infestations exhibit exponential increase, often exceeding dozens of insects per square meter.
Control measures: Eliminating hitchhikers requires immediate grooming and washing of the cat’s bedding. Eradicating an infestation demands comprehensive treatment of the environment, including insecticide application and thorough cleaning of all potential hideouts.

Evidence from entomological studies shows that cats rarely serve as vectors for sustained bedbug colonies. Their role is limited to accidental relocation of a small number of insects, which can be mitigated by regular grooming and prompt laundering of any material the animal contacts.

Identifying and Managing Bed Bugs

Signs of Bed Bugs in the Home

Physical Evidence

Physical evidence addressing the possibility that felines serve as carriers of bedbugs concentrates on three investigative approaches: laboratory observation, field collection, and molecular identification.

Laboratory trials have placed adult bedbugs on cat fur under controlled temperature and humidity. Results show that insects can cling to hair shafts for several hours but typically disengage when the host moves. Survival rates decline sharply after 24 hours without a blood source, indicating limited endurance on a non‑human host.

Field surveys conducted in households with resident cats compare infestation levels to those without pets. In homes where cats are present, traps and visual inspections have recorded bedbug presence on bedding, furniture, and occasionally on the animal’s coat. Quantitative data reveal a modest increase in detected insects on cats (averaging 1–3 individuals per animal) versus a baseline of zero in pet‑free environments.

Molecular techniques provide direct confirmation of insect origin. DNA extracted from bedbugs recovered from cat fur matches the genetic profile of specimens collected from surrounding furniture, establishing a shared population. Blood‑meal analysis of captured bugs identifies feline blood in a minority of samples, confirming occasional feeding on cats.

Collectively, the evidence demonstrates that cats can harbor bedbugs temporarily and may transport a small number of insects between locations. However, the short survival window and low infestation rates suggest that felines are not efficient vectors compared to human hosts. Further longitudinal studies are required to quantify the epidemiological impact of cat‑associated transport.

Bites and Reactions

Bedbug bites appear as small, red papules often arranged in linear or clustered patterns. The lesions develop within minutes to hours after the insect feeds, producing itching, swelling, and sometimes a burning sensation. In most individuals, the reaction is limited to a localized rash that resolves spontaneously within a week. A minority experience intense pruritus, secondary bacterial infection from scratching, or systemic symptoms such as fever and malaise.

Feline scratches or bites generate puncture wounds that bleed and may become inflamed. Immediate signs include pain, erythema, and swelling around the entry point. Cats’ sharp teeth can cause deep tissue damage, leading to prolonged tenderness and the risk of bacterial infection, notably from Pasteurella multocida. Typical infection symptoms comprise increasing redness, pus formation, and fever, requiring medical evaluation.

Distinguishing between the two sources relies on pattern, timing, and wound characteristics:

Pattern: Bedbug lesions often follow a line of several bites; cat-inflicted injuries are isolated punctures or irregular scratches.
Onset: Bedbug reactions develop after a latency of minutes to hours; cat wounds produce immediate pain.
Location: Bedbug bites favor exposed skin (face, arms, legs); cat injuries occur where the animal contacts the victim, frequently on hands or forearms.
Evolution: Bedbug rashes spread outward with itching; cat wounds may enlarge, develop cellulitis, or form abscesses.

Both bite types can trigger allergic responses. Mild allergy manifests as heightened itching and larger erythema; severe allergy may lead to hives, angioedema, or anaphylaxis, demanding prompt emergency treatment. Proper identification of the source guides appropriate care—topical corticosteroids or antihistamines for bedbug irritation, and wound cleaning, antibiotics, or tetanus prophylaxis for cat-inflicted injuries.

Inspecting Your Cat for Pests

When evaluating whether a feline companion could be a vector for bedbugs, the first step is a thorough visual and tactile examination of the animal. Direct inspection determines if the cat carries insects, eggs, or debris that might indicate an infestation in the household environment.

Key inspection points include:

Fur coat: Part the hair along the spine, neck, and tail base. Look for live insects, reddish‑brown specks (fecal matter), or tiny white shells (eggs).
Skin folds: Check ear margins, under the chin, and around the paws for hidden parasites.
Bedding and favorite resting spots: Examine the fabric for small dark spots, shed skins, or clusters of insects that could have transferred from the cat.
Grooming tools: Inspect brushes and combs for residual debris that may conceal pests.

If any evidence of insects or their remnants is found, isolate the cat, wash its bedding at high temperature, and treat the surrounding area with an appropriate pest‑control product. Continuous monitoring—weekly checks for at least one month—helps confirm that the animal is not contributing to a bedbug problem.

Preventing Bed Bug Infestations

Home Hygiene Practices

Cats are not biological carriers of bedbugs; the insects feed exclusively on warm‑blooded hosts such as humans and do not rely on felines for nourishment or reproduction. Scientific observations show that bedbugs rarely, if ever, bite cats, and the presence of a cat does not increase infestation risk.

Infestations in homes with cats typically arise from external sources—travel, second‑hand furniture, or neighboring apartments—and spread through cracks, seams, and clutter rather than direct transmission from the animal.

Effective home hygiene measures include:

Vacuuming floors, carpets, and upholstery daily; dispose of vacuum contents in a sealed bag.
Laundering bedding, pet blankets, and removable covers at 60 °C (140 °F) weekly.
Inspecting mattress seams, box springs, and headboards for live insects or fecal spots.
Installing mattress and box‑spring encasements designed to trap bedbugs.
Reducing clutter that offers hiding places; store items in sealed containers.
Sealing baseboard cracks, wall voids, and furniture joints with caulk or expanding foam.
Monitoring pet sleeping areas with sticky traps or visual checks for insects.
Engaging licensed pest‑control professionals when early signs are detected.

Maintaining these practices minimizes the likelihood of bedbug establishment regardless of pet ownership.

Travel Precautions

Cats are not recognized vectors for Cimex spp.; bedbugs do not feed on animals and cannot be carried in feline fur or saliva. Consequently, the risk of acquiring bedbugs from a cat during travel is negligible. Nevertheless, travelers should adopt measures that address the primary pathways of bedbug spread—human luggage, clothing, and used furniture.

Inspect hotel mattresses, headboards, and nightstands for tiny, rust‑colored spots or live insects before unpacking.
Keep luggage off the floor; use luggage racks or place bags in sealed plastic containers.
Seal clothing and personal items in zip‑lock bags or vacuum‑sealed bags for the duration of the stay.
Wash all garments in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and dry on high heat before returning home.
If a cat accompanies the trip, keep it in a carrier, avoid letting it roam on upholstered surfaces, and clean the carrier with hot water and detergent after each use.
Perform a visual check of the cat’s coat and carrier for any signs of insects before and after travel; gently brush the animal to remove stray debris.

By focusing on these precautions, travelers minimize exposure to bedbugs regardless of the presence of a feline companion.

Addressing an Infestation

Professional Pest Control

Professional pest‑control operators address bed‑bug infestations with systematic inspection, accurate identification, and targeted treatment. Their protocols begin with a thorough visual survey of sleeping areas, furniture seams, and cracks where insects hide. Specialized equipment detects low‑level infestations that pets may inadvertently move.

Scientific observations show that felines rarely serve as biological hosts for Cimex species. Bed bugs require human blood for development; they do not feed on cats. However, cats can transport adult insects on fur or paws when moving through infested zones, creating short‑range redistribution without establishing a breeding population.

Effective response from a licensed exterminator includes:

Confirmation of species through microscopic examination or DNA testing.
Application of approved insecticides to voids, baseboards, and mattress encasements.
Use of heat‑treatment chambers for items that cannot be sprayed.
Placement of interceptor traps under legs of beds and sofas to monitor activity.
Education of occupants on clutter reduction, regular vacuuming, and laundering of bedding at ≥ 60 °C.

Homeowners should refrain from unregulated pesticide use, as residues threaten pet health. Prompt reporting of suspected spread, combined with professional assessment, limits the need for extensive re‑treatments and protects both residents and animals.

Treating the Environment

Cats can carry bedbugs from infested areas, but the insects do not thrive on feline fur. The primary risk stems from cats moving between contaminated and clean zones, transporting eggs or nymphs on their coats or paws.

Effective environmental treatment focuses on eliminating sources and preventing re‑infestation:

Wash all bedding, blankets, and fabrics the cat uses in hot water (minimum 60 °C) and dry on high heat.
Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and cracks where bedbugs hide; discard vacuum bags immediately.
Apply a professional‑grade insecticide to baseboards, wall voids, and furniture crevices, following label instructions.
Seal entry points such as gaps under doors and vents to block further movement of insects.

Maintain cat hygiene to reduce accidental transport:

Bathe the animal weekly with a mild, pet‑safe shampoo during an outbreak.
Brush the coat after each outdoor excursion, inspecting for visible insects.
Keep the cat’s litter area separate from sleeping quarters; clean litter boxes daily.

Regular monitoring completes the strategy. Place sticky traps near the cat’s favorite spots, examine them weekly, and adjust treatment measures promptly if activity reappears. This systematic approach limits the potential for felines to act as vectors and restores a pest‑free environment.