Do bed bugs jump in your house?

Bed bugs are adept hitchhikers, easily moving from place to place on items like luggage, clothing, purses, and more. Many people believe bed bugs jump or fly to their next host, but can these tiny creatures actually jump? The answer is no; bed bugs do not jump. Learn how bed bugs find their way into our homes and what to do if you find yourself dealing with these pests.

How bed bugs move

Although bed bugs do not jump, they have a few features that help facilitate their movement. Their small size allows them to exploit the smallest cracks and crevices to find new hiding spots. However, despite their small size, bed bugs can move surprisingly fast, covering as much as four feet per minute. They have six legs that allow for quick crawling across surfaces, which enables them to avoid detection after feeding. A common method of travel is crawling up bed posts to reach mattresses, helping them to stay close to their human hosts.

So bed bugs can’t fly?

No, bed bugs can’t fly. Bed bugs lack the physical structure needed for flying, such as wings. These pests are adapted for crawling and hiding rather than flying or jumping.

How bed bugs spread long distances

Bed bugs have an uncanny ability to travel long distances, primarily through human activity. These pests can attach themselves to luggage, furniture, bedding, and clothing, enabling them to move between locations as people travel. As individuals relocate, visit hotels, or purchase second-hand items, these opportunistic pests latch on and spread to new places. Their ability to hitchhike allows them to spread over long distances, infesting new homes and public spaces far from their original locations.

What to do if you see bed bugs crawling around

Now that we’ve answered the question, “Do bed bugs jump?” – how do we keep these pests out of our homes? If you spot a bed bug in your home, it's crucial to act quickly by sealing off infested items and, most importantly, calling in professionals at Terminix. Our technicians are trained to find their hiding places and eliminate them from your property.

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