Bedbugs, where do they come from? - briefly
They travel by hitchhiking on luggage, clothing, used furniture, and other personal items carried by people. Human movement and trade therefore serve as the main pathways for their global distribution.
Bedbugs, where do they come from? - in detail
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are native to tropical regions of Africa, where they co‑evolved with humans and their ancestors. Over millennia they spread northward, following human migration, trade routes, and the expansion of permanent settlements. The species adapted to temperate climates, establishing populations throughout Europe, Asia, and eventually the Americas.
Modern introductions occur primarily through three mechanisms:
- Travel and accommodation – luggage, clothing, and personal items placed on or near infested mattresses, upholstered furniture, or wall hangings can transport adult insects, nymphs, or eggs.
- Second‑hand goods – used furniture, mattresses, and bedding bought from thrift stores or online marketplaces often carry hidden infestations.
- Commercial shipments – crates, pallets, and packaging materials moved across borders may harbor eggs or sheltering adults, especially when shipments contain soft goods or textiles.
Bed bugs thrive in environments that provide regular blood meals, stable temperatures (20–30 °C), and concealed harborages. Typical hiding places include mattress seams, box‑spring folds, bed frames, headboards, picture frames, electrical outlets, and wall cracks. Their ability to survive several months without feeding enables them to persist in vacant rooms or storage areas, awaiting new hosts.
Reproduction relies on traumatic insemination; a single female can lay 200–500 eggs over her lifespan, each hatching in 6–10 days under optimal conditions. Rapid population growth, combined with resistance to many insecticides, explains the resurgence observed in urban centers worldwide since the early 2000s.
Key factors that facilitate spread include increased international travel, dense housing, and the availability of inexpensive second‑hand furniture. Effective control requires early detection, thorough removal of infested items, and integrated pest‑management strategies that combine heat treatment, targeted chemical applications, and rigorous monitoring.