What Attracts Bed Bugs – Discover the Lures Bringing Them To Your Bed

Bed bugs are primarily attracted to warmth, carbon dioxide, and concealed spaces where they can hide.

The cleanliness of your home does not influence their presence because they are only attracted to a reliable food source and a secure, sheltered environment.

What Attracts Bed Bugs In Your Home?

First off, bed bugs love a good hiding spot.

They’re not attracted to dirt, but they thrive in clutter. Why? Because clutter gives them plenty of places to hide and breed.

Here’s what you need to know:

Now you know what attracts bed bugs, the less clutter, the better.

Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?

Bed bugs can originate from a wide range of locations, including travelling, neighbours, cinemas, offices, daycares, airports, residential homes, nursing homes, libraries, educational institutions, visitors, police and fire stations, retail stores, and more.

Do Dirty Environments Attract Bed Bugs?

The Truth About Cleanliness

Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs don’t care if your home is clean or dirty.

I know, mind-blowing, right?

They’re not attracted to grime or filth.

They’re after one thing only: blood.

Your blood.

Whether your home is spotless or a total mess, bed bugs will happily set up camp if there’s a meal (a.k.a. you) nearby.

What Attracts Bed Bugs To Humans

Here’s where things get personal.

Bed bugs are drawn to the carbon dioxide you breathe out and the body heat you give off.

Think of it like this:

• When you’re asleep, you’re like a beacon of warmth and scent for bed bugs.
• They can sense your body heat and follow the trail to you.
• That’s why they often hang out in bedrooms, close to their food source—you.

What Attracts Bed Bugs to Bedding and Furniture?

Certain materials in your mattress or sofa can be a bed bug’s paradise. Fabric and wood? Yes, please. Metal? Not so much.

Why?

• Because bed bugs can easily grip onto fabric and wood, hiding in seams and tiny cracks.
• But they’re not so good at hanging on to slick, cold metal.

Are Bed Bugs Attracted to Specific Colours?

Okay, here’s a fun fact: bed bugs have a colour preference.

Crazy, right?

Studies show they’re more attracted to red and black because those colours mimic the darkness and warmth they crave.

Avoid darker bedding or decor if you’re paranoid about an infestation. Stick with lighter colours to keep these pests at bay.

What Attracts Bed Bugs To Luggage When Travelling

Ever been on holiday and brought home more than just souvenirs?

Travel is one of the easiest ways to pick up bed bugs.

Here’s how:

• Bed bugs hitchhike on your luggage, clothes, or even the hotel furniture.
• They’re sneaky, and they can crawl into your bag without you even noticing.
• You unpack at home, and boom—now you’ve got bed bugs.

Always check hotel rooms for signs of bed bugs and keep your luggage off the bed. Trust me; you’ll thank yourself later.

Do Pets Attract Bed Bugs? What You Need to Know

Quick answer: No, pets don’t attract bed bugs.

• Bed bugs are not like fleas or ticks.
• They don’t care about your dog or cat.
• But if you’ve got bed bugs, they might crawl on your pet to feed.

Warm, Dark Spaces: What Attracts Bed Bugs The Most?

Bed bugs love warm, dark spaces.

Think of all the cosy, dark corners in your home:

• Mattresses seams
• Inside bed bases
• Behind head boards
• Underneath floor boards
• Skirting boards
• In the seams of sofas
• Wooden bed frame

They’ll find a spot, settle in, and start their nasty little colony.

Does Clutter Attract Bed Bugs?

Understanding Their Hiding Spots

We touched on clutter before, but let’s get specific.

Bed bugs love areas that are rarely disturbed on or around your bed like:

• Wooden bed frames and bed bases
• Stacks of books or magazines you never touch
• Piles of clothes you haven’t moved in weeks
• That box of old knick-knacks you keep under the bed

The less you move these things, the more attractive they become to bed bugs. Keep your space organised and clutter-free to make your home less appealing to them.

How Climate and Temperature Attract Bed Bugs

Bed bugs thrive in a warm environment.

The ideal temperature? Around 21 to 27 degrees Celsius.

• In colder climates, they slow down and don’t breed as fast.
• But in warm, humid conditions, they multiply like crazy.
• Keep your home cool and dry to keep their activity levels low.

Neighbouring Infestations: Can They Attract Bed Bugs to Your Home?

Got neighbours with a bed bug problem? You might be next.

Bed bugs can travel through cracks in walls, electrical outlets, or even pipes.

If you live in a flat or shared housing, be on high alert. Seal up any gaps or cracks, and keep an eye out for signs of bed bugs.

How to Make Your Home Less Attractive to Bed Bugs

So, how do you keep your home bed-bug-free?

Here’s a quick checklist:

• Declutter regularly to eliminate hiding spots.
• Use protective covers on your mattress and bed base.
• Vacuum frequently, especially around bed frames and furniture.
• Seal cracks and crevices in walls, floors, and furniture.
• Inspect second-hand furniture and items before bringing them home.
• Dust your bed frame with Diatomaceous Earth to kill bed bugs for you years to come. The powder never stops working unless its removed.

Simple steps, but they make a huge difference.

Remember, bed bugs are sneaky, but they’re not invincible. Keep your space clean, check often, and you’ll stay one step ahead.

How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs Instantly And Long Term

The Isolation Method is a highly effective strategy for eliminating bed bugs by creating barriers that prevent them from accessing their primary food source—you.

This method involves a combination of techniques designed to both kill existing bed bugs and prevent new ones from reaching sleeping areas.

Key steps include using steam to kill bed bugs instantly on mattresses, bed frames, and surrounding areas, followed by the application of Diatomaceous Earth (DE) bed bug powder, which provides long-term protection by dehydrating any bed bugs that come into contact with it.

Additionally, use covers for bed bugs on your mattress and install bed bug bed leg barrier traps to create a physical blockade, preventing bed bugs from climbing up to the bed.

By isolating the bed from walls, furniture, and other potential pathways, this method effectively forces bed bugs to traverse the DE-treated areas, ensuring their elimination while keeping your sleeping area secure.

What Our DIY Bed Bug Treatment Video Using The Isolation Method

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What attracts bed bugs?
   Bed bugs are primarily attracted to warmth, carbon dioxide, and concealed spaces where they can hide.
2. What is the main cause of bed bugs?
   Bed bugs are primarily spread through human activity. They often enter homes via luggage, clothing, and second-hand furniture. Travel is a common culprit, as bed bugs can hitchhike from infested hotels, Airbnbs, or public places. In multi-family buildings, they can also spread between units through walls, pipes, and wiring.
3. What keeps bed bugs away?
   To keep bed bugs away, maintain a clean, clutter-free home to reduce hiding spots. Use bed bug-proof mattress encasements and seal any cracks in walls or furniture. Regular vacuuming and applying diatomaceous earth around bed frames can help. Heat treatments, like washing and drying clothes on high heat, also effectively kill bed bugs and their eggs.
4. What smells are bed bugs attracted to?
   Bed bugs are mainly attracted to the smell of carbon dioxide from human breath and body heat. They may also respond to specific pheromones or chemical scents related to their mating behaviour. Unlike some pests, bed bugs are not strongly attracted to scents like lavender or peppermint.
5. What brings bed bugs into the house?
   Bed bugs are typically brought into homes through travel, second-hand furniture, or visitors from infested areas. They can latch onto luggage, clothing, or personal belongings. In shared living environments like apartments, they can also move between units through walls or shared utilities. Understanding these factors can help prevent infestations.

Final Thoughts on What Attracts Bed Bugs

Here’s the bottom line:

Bed bugs are attracted to warmth, carbon dioxide, and places to hide. They don’t care if your home is clean or dirty; they’re just looking for a good meal and a cosy spot to hide.

Stay vigilant, keep things tidy, and don’t let the bed bugs bite.

Are You Looking for an Organic DIY Treatment?

Watch Our DIY Treatment Video For An Ensemble Bed

Watch Our DIY Treatment Video For A Bed with Slats

If you have enjoyed our blog “what attracts bed bugs” then you might like to read about bed bugs feeding.

Sources:

National Library Of Medicine