Bed bugs have made a significant comeback in many parts of the world, including developed countries where they were once considered a problem of the past. These unwelcome pests, companions of humans since ancient times, saw a decline in numbers in the mid-20th century thanks to insecticides like DDT and improved hygiene. However, this led to a decrease in public awareness and vigilance regarding bed bugs. Factors like increased global travel, insecticide resistance in bed bugs, the reuse of second-hand furniture, and more cluttered homes have created ideal conditions for their resurgence. Once bed bugs infest a home, they are notoriously difficult and costly to eliminate. Therefore, understanding how they enter our homes and taking preventative measures is more important than ever. A common concern for pet owners is whether their furry friends can be the unwitting carriers of these pests.
What Exactly Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs belong to the insect family Cimicidae. While several species exist, Cimex lectularius is the most common species found worldwide and associated with humans, while Cimex hemipterus is more prevalent in tropical climates. These insects are small, ranging from 1 to 7 mm in size, with a brownish-red color, flattened bodies, and no wings. Adult bed bugs are about the size of a grain of rice. They possess six legs and two long, segmented antennae. As their name suggests, bed bugs are typically found in areas where people and animals sleep. They are nocturnal, with peak activity between midnight and 6 am, when they emerge to feed on sleeping hosts. Female bed bugs lay eggs in secluded cracks and crevices, such as headboards, box springs, bed frames, mattress seams, furniture joints, and baseboard cracks – these are the typical hiding spots when they are not feeding. The eggs hatch into nymphs, which are smaller versions of the adults. Through five nymph stages, they mature into adults. All life stages of bed bugs, except for eggs, require blood meals, usually every 8-10 days. However, they are remarkably resilient and can survive for months without feeding.
Why Are Bed Bugs Considered a Problem?
Bed bugs are obligate blood feeders, meaning they must consume blood to survive. They will feed on humans, as well as domestic animals like cats and dogs. While bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases, their bites can lead to several health issues, including anemia (particularly in children in cases of heavy infestation), intense itching (pruritus), allergic reactions, discomfort, sleep disruption, and psychological stress. Controlling and eliminating bed bug infestations can be extremely challenging and expensive, especially in multi-unit dwellings like apartment buildings, requiring professional pest control services. Furthermore, bed bug management often involves the use of insecticides, increasing the potential exposure of both humans and pets to these chemicals. It is crucial that any pesticides used are EPA-registered and applied strictly according to label instructions to minimize health risks associated with these potentially toxic substances.
How Do Bed Bugs Infest Homes? Are Pets a Factor?
Bed bugs are notorious hitchhikers, adept at concealing themselves in small spaces. Their small size and flattened bodies enable them to be passively transported into homes. They can easily hide within furniture seams, mattress folds, luggage seams, folded clothing, and bedding.
In multi-family or multi-occupancy buildings like apartments, hotels, shelters, and cruise ships, bed bugs can also actively move between rooms, literally walking from one room to another through cracks in walls or along pipes. Bed bugs are primarily associated with humans and our belongings. While it is possible to find bed bugs on cats and dogs, it is not a common occurrence. Pets are unlikely to be the primary source of a bed bug infestation in a home. Bed bugs prefer to hide close to their food source, which is typically where humans sleep. They will crawl onto pets to feed, but they do not live on pets in the same way that fleas or ticks do. After feeding, bed bugs will retreat to their hiding places, not stay on the animal. Therefore, it’s far more probable that bed bugs are introduced via luggage, clothing, or used furniture rather than directly by pets.
Will Bed Bugs Bite Cats and Dogs?
Yes, bed bugs are opportunistic feeders and will bite cats and dogs if they are present in an infested environment. If bed bugs are in your home, your pets are just as susceptible to bites as you are.
Recognizing a Bed Bug Infestation: Signs to Look For
Identifying a bed bug infestation early is key to effective control. While seeing a live bed bug is definitive, it’s not always the first sign. Here are some common indicators:
- Bed bug bites: Small, itchy red welts on your skin, often appearing in lines or clusters, can be a sign. However, these bites can resemble bites from other insects like mosquitoes or fleas, so further investigation is needed. Bites on your pets can also occur, appearing as small, irritated red bumps.
- Shed skins (molts): As bed bugs grow, they shed their exoskeletons. Finding these translucent, shed skins in areas where bed bugs hide is a strong indicator of their presence.
- Live bed bugs: Visually inspecting mattress seams, box springs, headboards, and other crevices may reveal live bed bugs, especially during the early morning hours when they are less active.
- Fecal spots: Bed bug droppings appear as small, dark, rusty-colored spots on bedding, mattresses, or nearby furniture.
- Sweet, musty odor: A heavy bed bug infestation can produce a distinctive sweet, musty odor.
- Blood stains: Small blood stains on your sheets or pillowcases can be a sign of bed bug activity after they have fed.
Additionally, commercial bed bug traps and monitors are available for detection, and trained bed bug detection dogs can be used to sniff out infestations with high accuracy.
What Steps Should You Take If You Suspect Bed Bugs?
If you suspect a bed bug infestation, act promptly.
- Collect a sample: If possible, carefully collect a bed bug specimen to show to a pest control professional for positive identification.
- Contact professionals: Inform your landlord or contact a reputable pest control company experienced in bed bug management.
- Consider integrated pest management (IPM): Bed bug control is often a multi-faceted approach. The CDC and EPA have jointly issued recommendations emphasizing integrated pest management, which combines non-chemical and chemical methods.
Non-chemical methods include:
- Frequent vacuuming: Thoroughly vacuum carpets, mattresses, and furniture, paying close attention to seams and crevices.
- Laundering: Wash all bedding, linens, and clothing in hot water and dry on high heat. Heat is lethal to bed bugs.
- Reduce clutter: Minimize clutter to reduce hiding places for bed bugs.
- Seal cracks and crevices: Seal cracks in walls, baseboards, and furniture to limit harborage areas and movement.
- Diatomaceous earth: Apply diatomaceous earth (specifically labeled for bed bug control) in cracks and crevices. It is a natural desiccant that can dehydrate and kill bed bugs.
In many cases, professional pesticide application by licensed pest control operators is necessary to eliminate infestations, especially for larger or widespread problems. Always ensure any pesticides used are EPA-registered and specifically labeled for bed bug control.
Will Pet Flea and Tick Products Repel Bed Bugs?
No, pet anti-tick and anti-flea products are specifically formulated to target fleas and ticks. They are not designed to protect pets against bed bugs and will have little to no effect on a bed bug infestation. Bed bugs and fleas/ticks are different types of parasites with different biology and behaviors, requiring different control strategies.
Protecting Your Pets and Home from Bed Bugs
Since pets are not the primary carriers of bed bugs, protecting them is intrinsically linked to protecting yourself and your home. Vigilance and good hygiene practices are key.
- Travel precautions: When traveling, inspect the bed area in hotels or accommodations for signs of bed bugs, particularly the headboard, box spring, and mattress seams.
- Luggage management: Keep luggage, pet carriers, and pet bedding off the floor and away from beds and upholstered furniture in hotels. Consider using luggage racks and storing items in bathrooms or on hard surfaces away from sleeping areas.
- Post-travel inspection: Upon returning home, carefully inspect luggage, pet carriers, and pet bedding for any signs of bed bugs.
- Laundering after travel: Immediately launder all clothing and pet bedding that traveled with you in hot water and dry on high heat.
- Vehicle storage: In regions with extreme temperatures, consider leaving luggage and pet carriers in a car for a few days (weather permitting and ensuring safety for pets if applicable). Extreme heat or cold can help kill bed bugs.
- Used furniture inspection: Thoroughly inspect used furniture before bringing it into your home.
While there is no foolproof method to guarantee bed bug prevention, these proactive measures can significantly minimize the risk of introducing these pests into your home, whether via yourself, your belongings, or even indirectly through your pet’s travel accessories. Maintaining a clean and clutter-free home environment further reduces potential hiding spots and makes early detection easier.
By Araceli Lucio-Forster, PhD. Teaching Support Specialist, Department of Microbiology and Immunology College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University
