Why do bed bugs come

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: Bed bugs primarily come into homes through human transportation, often hitchhiking on luggage, clothing, or used furniture. They are attracted to carbon dioxide and body heat, which guide them to human hosts for blood meals. According to the CDC, bed bug infestations have increased significantly since the 1990s, with a 500% rise reported in some urban areas by the early 2000s. These pests can survive for months without feeding, making them difficult to eliminate once established.

Key Facts

Bed bugs can survive for 2-6 months without a blood meal under optimal conditions
A single female bed bug can lay 200-500 eggs in her lifetime
Bed bug infestations increased by 500% in some U.S. cities between 1990-2005
Bed bugs are attracted to carbon dioxide concentrations of 8-10%, similar to human exhalation
Bed bugs can travel up to 100 feet in a night searching for a host

Overview

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, parasitic insects that feed exclusively on blood, primarily from humans. These reddish-brown insects measure 4-5 mm in length and have been human companions for thousands of years, with evidence dating back to ancient Egypt around 1350 BCE. The species nearly disappeared in developed countries during the mid-20th century due to widespread DDT use, but experienced a dramatic resurgence beginning in the 1990s. Today, bed bugs are found worldwide, with particularly high infestation rates in urban areas, hotels, and multi-unit housing. According to a 2018 survey by the National Pest Management Association, 97% of U.S. pest control professionals treated bed bug infestations in the previous year, up from just 25% in 2000. The global bed bug control market was valued at approximately $1.2 billion in 2022, reflecting the scale of this persistent problem.

How It Works

Bed bugs come into homes through passive transportation, typically hitching rides on luggage, clothing, furniture, or personal belongings. They are nocturnal insects that hide in cracks and crevices during daylight hours, emerging at night to feed. Their attraction to human hosts is driven by multiple cues: carbon dioxide from human breath (detectable from up to 3 feet away), body heat, and certain chemicals in human sweat. Once near a host, bed bugs use their specialized mouthparts to pierce skin and inject saliva containing anticoagulants and anesthetics, allowing them to feed for 3-10 minutes without detection. After feeding, they return to hiding places where females lay 1-5 eggs daily. Development from egg to adult takes about 5 weeks under optimal conditions (70-80°F). Bed bugs can spread rapidly because they reproduce quickly and can survive temperature extremes from nearly freezing to 113°F.

Why It Matters

Bed bug infestations have significant real-world impacts beyond mere nuisance. Economically, they cost the hospitality industry billions annually in treatment, lost revenue, and reputation damage. A single hotel room treatment can cost $1,000-$3,000, while whole-building infestations in apartment complexes often exceed $10,000. Health impacts include allergic reactions to bites in about 70% of people, potential secondary infections from scratching, and psychological effects like anxiety and insomnia. The stigma associated with infestations can lead to social isolation and housing discrimination. Furthermore, bed bugs have developed resistance to many common insecticides, with studies showing some populations surviving doses 1,000 times higher than lethal concentrations from the 1970s. This resistance drives up control costs and complicates eradication efforts, making prevention and early detection increasingly important.