According to folklore, why do bedbugs get into an apartment? - briefly
In folk tradition, bedbugs are thought to enter a home when its occupants have broken hospitality or attracted a curse, the insects acting as a supernatural warning. The legend says the bugs travel with unwelcome guests, slipping into the apartment on their belongings.
According to folklore, why do bedbugs get into an apartment? - in detail
Folklore explains the presence of bedbugs in a dwelling as a consequence of several traditional beliefs.
First, household impurity is thought to attract these insects. An untidy environment, leftover food, and unwashed linens are said to create a favorable habitat, encouraging the pests to settle.
Second, the notion of restless spirits plays a role. Legends claim that the insects accompany the souls of the deceased, entering homes where mourning or unresolved grief persists. In such cases, the bugs are considered messengers of the departed, drawn to the emotional residue left behind.
Third, a curse or ill‑will from a neighbor or former occupant is sometimes cited. Stories describe a disgruntled individual placing a talisman or whispering a hex that summons the insects as a form of retribution.
Fourth, the concept of “traveling with travelers” appears in many cultures. Bedbugs are believed to hitch rides on clothing, luggage, or bedding carried by people moving from one residence to another, thereby spreading from one household to the next.
Fifth, seasonal changes are linked to the insects’ activity. Folklore holds that the arrival of colder weather forces the bugs to seek warmth inside human shelters, prompting a surge in infestations during autumn and winter.
These explanations collectively form the traditional narrative used to rationalize why bedbugs appear in apartments, reflecting moral, spiritual, and practical concerns embedded in cultural storytelling.