How do bed bugs move through an apartment? - briefly
Bed bugs crawl along baseboards, wiring, and wall voids, using furniture and personal items as bridges between rooms. They also hitch rides on clothing, luggage, or moving boxes, enabling rapid spread throughout the unit.
How do bed bugs move through an apartment? - in detail
Bed bugs travel from one location to another by exploiting small, contiguous pathways and by hitching rides on objects that move between rooms. Their movement relies on a combination of active crawling and passive transport.
When crawling, a bed bug can cover distances of up to 100 feet in a single night. It prefers to stay close to the floor, using cracks, gaps behind baseboards, and openings around electrical outlets as routes. The insect moves in a slow, deliberate manner, pausing frequently to feed or hide, which allows it to navigate tight spaces without detection.
Key routes within a dwelling include:
- Gaps beneath doors and sliding panels, where the insect can slip through the clearance.
- Openings around plumbing fixtures, such as pipe sleeves and vent stacks.
- Cracks in walls, especially where wallpaper or paneling meets the floor.
- Spaces behind furniture, including bed frames, nightstands, and sofas.
- Electrical and data cable conduits that run vertically through walls and ceilings.
Passive transport occurs when the bugs attach to items that are relocated. Common vectors are:
- Luggage, backpacks, and duffel bags moved between rooms or brought from outside.
- Upholstered furniture that is repositioned or replaced.
- Clothing and linens transferred from one area to another.
- Household appliances that are moved for cleaning or repairs.
Environmental factors influence the speed and direction of movement. Warm temperatures (above 24 °C) increase activity levels, while cooler zones slow progress. Light does not attract the insects, but they tend to avoid brightly illuminated areas during the day, preferring darkness for travel and concealment.
Understanding these pathways enables targeted inspections and interventions, focusing on sealing gaps, reducing clutter, and limiting the relocation of infested items.