Bed Bugs Aren’t Just at Home: How They Travel and How to Stop Them
Learn About Bed Bugs
When people think about bed bugs, they often associate them with unclean homes or hotels. However, these pests don’t discriminate—they can be found in many places you visit daily. Bed bugs hitch rides on unsuspecting travelers from airports to movie theaters, making it easy for anyone to unknowingly bring them home.
If you’ve dealt with a bed bug infestation, rest assured—it’s not your fault. These pests are sneaky, but with the knowledge of what to look for and professional help, you can eliminate them and prevent future infestations.
Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?
Bed bugs are expert travelers. Unlike other pests attracted to food crumbs or moisture, bed bugs are drawn to warmth and carbon dioxide, making busy public places ideal hiding spots. Here are some surprising places where bed bugs might be lurking:
1. Airports & Airplanes
Traveling increases your risk of encountering bed bugs. They can hide in the fabric of airplane seats, inside luggage compartments, and even in airport waiting areas. Since thousands of travelers pass through these areas daily, bed bugs can quickly transfer from one person’s belongings to another’s.
2. Movie Theaters
A bed bug alert at AMC Theatres in Marion highlighted how easily infestations can spread in public spaces. Movie theaters are prime locations for bed bugs due to the upholstered seats and the extended time moviegoers spend sitting still.
3. Hotels & Rental Properties
Even the cleanest hotels can harbor bed bugs. They can hide in mattresses, headboards, and upholstered furniture, waiting for a new host to bring them home. Before unpacking, always check for small reddish-brown stains or bugs in hotel beds.
4. Public Transportation
Buses, trains, taxis, and ride-share vehicles provide bed bugs with plenty of opportunities to latch onto passengers. Since these spaces see a high turnover of people daily, infestations can spread quickly.
5. Restaurants & Offices
Even businesses and restaurants aren’t immune to bed bugs. These pests can latch onto employees or customers, allowing them to spread throughout shared spaces like break rooms and waiting areas.
6. Used Furniture
Secondhand furniture can be another source of bed bug infestations. These pests love to hide in the cracks and crevices of upholstered furniture like couches and mattresses. Even if an item looks clean, bed bugs can be lurking inside, waiting for a new home. If you’re considering purchasing used furniture, inspect it carefully for signs of bed bugs—such as small dark stains, shed skins, or even live bugs—before bringing it inside your home.
How to Protect Yourself from Bed Bugs
While you can’t avoid every possible exposure, there are ways to minimize your risk of bringing bed bugs home:
Inspect hotel rooms and public seating areas.
Look for tiny dark spots or shed skins on furniture and bedding.
Keep luggage elevated.
Avoid placing bags on hotel beds or floors; use a luggage rack instead.
Wash clothes after traveling.
Even if you didn’t see bed bugs, washing clothes in hot water and drying them on high heat can kill any hitchhikers.
Vacuum out suitcases and backpacks.
This helps remove any lingering bugs after a trip.
Be cautious in public places.
Avoid placing personal belongings on upholstered seats in theaters or public transportation.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
If you suspect a bed bug infestation, don’t panic. Bed bugs are tough to eliminate on your own, but professional pest control companies have proven methods to handle them effectively.
AAA Exterminating, a trusted pest control company in Indianapolis, Indiana, offers specialized thermal remediation treatments. These treatments use heat to kill bed bugs at all life stages—eggs, nymphs, and adults. This environmentally friendly method requires no chemicals and ensures complete infestation eradication.
With over 65 years of experience, AAA Exterminating is a family-owned and locally operated pest control company dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and effective solutions. Their highly trained technicians use advanced treatment methods to ensure your home is bed bug-free, giving you peace of mind.
Don’t Let Bed Bugs Take Over
Contact us now to schedule your free consultation with the most trusted pest control company in the Indianapolis, Indiana area.