These creatures tend to spread from home to home like wildfire. And for this reason it might seem as if they are contagious. But are bed bugs contagious?

Bed bugs are not contagious in the way that diseases like viruses are. But they are contagious in the sense that they do spread from person to person.

Are bed bugs contagious? Well here’s the thing:

These bugs are fond of furniture and beds. They also crawl into suitcases, and onto clothes and other items. And in this way, they move from person to person like a disease.

In fact, there are many ways these bugs can be transferred such as:

Buying second hand items

When buying something from another person you should always ask yourself, are bed bugs contagious in this situation. Keep this in mind when purchasing second hand beds, furniture, curtains, pillows or clothes. Bugs love hiding in these, so make sure to inspect the item thoroughly.

Wash second hand fabrics on a hot wash and dry cycle. Also, leave types of items like furniture and books or toys outside in the sun for a few days before using them.

Sleeping in an infested hotel bed

If you stay at someone’s house or a nasty hotel they can be transferred to you.  For example, when you stay over in a bug infested hotel they can crawl into your pyjamas. When you pack these back into your suitcase the bugs are transferred to your home.

From your children

If you have school aged children, they can pick bed bugs up from other kids.

To prevent this from happening, your children should avoid using other people’s items like towels or clothing. Also, make sure their clothing is thoroughly washed and dried on a frequent basis.

Through pet bedding

Another thing you should watch out for is pet bedding. Cats and dogs are generally not targeted by these bugs. But they can bring them in from their adventures outside of your home. So make sure to check your pets bedding from time to time.

When you move home  

Anyone moving into a new house or flat might be concerned about bed bug contagion. If you’re worried about this, then check everything before you move. Also clean your new home to make sure it’s bug free before settling in.

Bottom line: Are bed bugs contagious? Absolutely!