15 of the Top Bed Bug Myths and The Truths Behind Them

Bed Bugs / By


In urban entomology, bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) have emerged as a significant fear-inducing pest, inciting concern, misunderstanding, and misinformation among the general public and professionals alike.

Despite their widespread notoriety, numerous misconceptions about bed bug biology, behavior, and control persist, complicating effective management and mitigation efforts. 

This article endeavors to elucidate and dispel ten of the most prevalent myths surrounding bed bugs, ranging from their alleged disease transmission capabilities to the inefficacy of pesticides as a singular control strategy. Drawing upon a comprehensive review of current entomological research and case studies, we aim to provide an evidence-based perspective that addresses these misconceptions. 

Through this scholarly discourse, we seek not only to address the most common misconceptions but also to foster a more informed and rational approach to bed bug information.

The Top 15 Myths About Bed Bugs That You May Not Know

Bed Bug Myths

The fear of a  bed bug problem is a real thing, that causes stress and anxiety for many of us. Here are some of the top myths about these urban pests. There is a popular belief that only dirty homes have them, but the truth is that even fancy hotels or spotless homes can experience a bed bug problem. 

So let’s learn about some of the common myths, so you can get a handle on what’s true and what’s not regarding bed bugs!

Myth: Bed Bugs Transmit Diseases to Humans

  •   Despite extensive feeding on human blood, there’s no conclusive evidence to suggest that bed bugs transmit diseases to humans.
  •   Research indicates that while they can harbor pathogens, the transmission mechanism is not supported in their biology or behavior. So at this time they do not spread human disease, however we do understand that as more research is done, this myth can change!

  •   Reference: Doggett, S. L., Dwyer, D. E., Peñas, P. F., & Russell, R. C. (2012). Bed bugs: clinical relevance and control options. *Clinical Microbiology Reviews*, 25(1), 164-192.

Myth: Everybody Reacts to Bed Bug Bites

  • The response to bed bug bites varies widely among individuals, with some people exhibiting significant allergic reactions, such as itching and welts, while others may not show any visible symptoms. This variance is largely due to differences in individual immune systems and their sensitivity to bed bug saliva.
  • A portion of the population does not react to bed bug bites at all, which can delay the detection of an infestation since the absence of bite reactions is often mistakenly interpreted as the absence of bed bugs.

 

Myth: Bed Bugs Are a Sign of Poor Hygiene

  •   Bed bugs are opportunistic and can inhabit any environment as long as they have access to their food source: blood. They are attracted to our carbon dioxide and not unsanitary conditions.
  •   They have been found in immaculate environments as well as in cluttered spaces, indicating that cleanliness is not a determinant.

  •   Reference: Potter, M. F. (2011). The history of bed bug management—with lessons from the past. *American Entomologist*, 57(1), 14-25.

Myth: Each Bed Bug Egg Has Multiple Bugs

  • Bed bug eggs are laid singly or in small clusters by a female bed bug, with each egg producing only one nymph upon hatching. The notion that a single egg could harbor multiple bed bugs is a misunderstanding of their reproductive biology.
  • The reproductive process involves a female laying approximately 113 eggs in her lifetime, at a rate of one to five eggs per day, depending on conditions such as temperature and the female’s feeding status. This reproductive strategy emphasizes the dispersal of individual eggs rather than the concentration of multiple offspring in a single egg.

Myth: Bed Bugs Can Fly

  •    The good news is that bed bugs lack wings and, therefore, cannot fly. They move by crawling quickly over surfaces.
  •    Their primary means of dispersal is through hitchhiking on objects such as luggage, furniture, and clothing.

Myth: You Can Become Completely Infested With Bed Bugs Quickly

  • The spread and establishment of a bed bug infestation within a home or facility is a gradual process, not an instantaneous event. Initial introductions often consist of only a few individuals, and it takes time for these individuals to find harborage, feed, and then begin the reproductive cycle.
  • Factors such as the availability of hosts, environmental conditions, and the reproductive rate of bed bugs contribute to the pace of infestation growth. An adult female can lay 1-5 eggs daily, but it takes weeks for eggs to hatch and nymphs to mature and start reproducing, allowing for a delay before a noticeable infestation occurs.

Myth: You Can’t Catch Bed Bugs From A Restaurant

  • Bed bugs can be easily transported from public spaces like restaurant seats, movie theaters, airplane seats, coffee shop couches, theaters, and public transportation through personal belongings.
  • High turnover and dense populations in such areas provide bed bugs ample opportunities to hitchhike to new environments.

Myth: Bed Bug Bites Only Happen in Lines

  • Bed bug bites can occur in lines but also in random, single, or clustered patterns, depending on how bed bugs access the host during feeding. Plus many people do not experience a skin reaction from a bed bug bite.
  • Multiple factors, including the movement of the host and the feeding behavior of multiple bed bugs influence the pattern of bites.

Myth: Bed Bugs Are Only Active at Night

  •   Although bed bugs are primarily nocturnal, adapting their activity to the sleeping patterns of their hosts, they can also bite during the day. This is especially true if no host is available at night.
  •   Their feeding behavior is more about the availability of a host,  than the time of day.

Myth: A Bed Bug Bite Will Show Up The Next Morning

  • The allergic reaction to bed bug bites can vary significantly among individuals, with some reactions appearing immediately and others taking several days to manifest on the skin. This variability is influenced by the individual’s immune response and previous exposure to bed bug bites.
  • In some cases, individuals may not develop visible reactions to bed bug bites at all, making it challenging to diagnose infestations based solely on the timing and appearance of bites.

Myth: You Cannot See a Bed Bug – You Need a Magnifying Glass

  • Adult bed bugs are indeed visible to the naked eye, measuring approximately 5 to 6 millimeters in length, with a reddish-brown color and oval, flattened bodies. This small size makes them comparable to an apple seed, allowing for their detection with careful inspection.
  • Nymphs (juvenile bed bugs) and eggs are more challenging to spot without magnification due to their smaller size and paler color. Nymphs can be as small as 1.5 millimeters, and eggs measure about 1 millimeter, requiring more meticulous examination to identify. (especially if they are hiding inside of box springs)

Myth: Bed Bugs Prefer to Live on Human Hosts

  •   Bed bugs do not live on humans; instead, they hide in close proximity to people’s sleeping areas to have easy access to a blood meal.
  •   They are often found in mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and behind wallpaper, coming out to feed when the host (any mammal or bird) is stationary for long periods. There are certain species that are attracted to avian blood.

Myth: Chemical Treatments Are the Best Way to Eliminate Bed Bugs

  •  Chemical resistance is increasingly common in bed bug populations, making pesticides less effective over time.
  •  Effective treatments will involve an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach, combining physical, chemical, heat treatments, and biological tactics, which are recommended for effective control.

Myth: Bed Bugs Only Infest Beds and Bedrooms

  •   Bed bugs can infest any area where people rest or sleep, extending beyond bedrooms to couches, picture frames, transportation seats, and even electrical outlets.
  •   Their ability to hide in small crevices makes them capable of living in various environments as long as they can feed on a host.

Myth: A Bed Bug Infestation Happens Quick

  • The proliferation of a bed bug infestation is a gradual process, as it relies on their breeding cycle, the availability of hosts, and environmental conditions. Female bed bugs lay 1-5 eggs per day, with these eggs taking about 10 days to hatch and several more weeks for the nymphs to reach maturity and start reproducing.
  • Significant infestations usually develop over several months rather than overnight, often due to unnoticed small numbers of bed bugs gradually increasing in population. Early infestations are typically not detected promptly due to the bed bugs’ elusive nature and the delayed onset of bite reactions in humans.

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