Bed bug infestations affect communities across all socioeconomic groups

Rather than being a poverty problem, bed bugs are actually everyone's problem. 

In findings recently published in Parasites and Vectors, Virginia Tech's Warren Booth cites evidence that bed bug infestations can affect anyone regardless of income, housing type, or location. Working alongside Cari Lewis, postdoctoral research associate at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, the study examined the relationship between the geographic distribution of bed bug infestations and demographic data of across metropolitan areas in Illinois, Oklahoma, and Ohio.

"A key finding of the research was the identification of reservoir populations: bed bug populations that persist over time and contribute to the spread of infestations beyond communities in which they are established," said Booth, associate professor of urban entomology. "Importantly, these reservoirs of bed bugs occur across the socioeconomic spectrum, challenging the misconception that bed bugs are primarily a problem of disadvantaged communities."

The researchers believe the findings indicate bedbug management strategies should evolve beyond individual residences to a more coordinated, community-level approach.

Booth, also an affiliate of the university's Invasive Species Collaborative, Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Fralin Life Sciences Institute, and Global Change Center, shared more insights about this work and the unpopular pest.

Aside from reducing socioeconomic-related stigma, what else can we learn by better understanding reservoir populations of bed bugs?

"Rather than spreading simply between nearby locations, these populations are connected through networks of human movement and the transport of personal belongings, similar to the models used to examine disease transmission within populations."

How do bed bugs impact the average person?

"As with mosquito bites, not all people who get bitten by bed bugs react to them. As such, some only know that they have an infestation when they start seeing black spots appearing on their white bed sheets. That's because they feed and then defecate and a little blood comes out," Booth said.

"Besides the gross-out factor, there can also be a substantial economic burden, as the cost to effectively treat a home infestation is high. If you live in a multi-unit building, it's likely they will spread from you to your neighbors through wall voids and from there onwards. At that point, control can be difficult, emphasizing the importance of early detection," he said.

What is driving recent news stories of increases in bed bug reports?

"Increased travel, delayed detection, multi-unit housing, insecticide resistance and even greater public awareness help explain increases in bed bug reports. However, higher reporting does not always mean there are more infestations. Reports often increase during late summer and after major travel periods when people return home from vacations. Large sporting events, concerts, conferences, holidays, and vacation travel create more tourism opportunities for bed bugs to hitchhike between locations. Infestations often go unnoticed until populations grow large enough to be detected," Booth said.

What makes it possible for bed bugs to spread?

"Bed bugs are expert hitchhikers. They do not fly or jump, but they readily move into luggage, backpacks, purses, clothing, and other personal belongings. Infested luggage stored beside other bags, whether in aircraft cargo holds, overhead racks, or luggage compartments, can facilitate movement between travelers," Booth said.

"They're also difficult to detect. Adults are about the size of an apple seed, while immature stages are much smaller and can easily remain unnoticed. Their ability to hide in tiny cracks and crevices makes accidental transport remarkably common. Once carried to a new location, they leave their temporary shelter and seek a blood meal, establishing new infestations," he said.

Does insecticide resistance contribute to the problem?

"Absolutely. Many bed bug populations are resistant to products that were once highly effective, especially pyrethroid-based insecticides. As a result, infestations often persist longer and grow larger before they are eliminated. The widespread availability of over-the-counter products can further complicate control because these treatments frequently fail to eliminate infestations completely. When infestations survive treatment, they continue to reproduce, spread, and increase the likelihood of additional introductions elsewhere," Booth said.

What can people do to avoid bringing bed bugs home?

"Prevention starts with reducing opportunities for bed bugs to enter your belongings. When staying in hotels or vacation rentals, keep luggage off beds, upholstered furniture, and the floor whenever possible. Use the luggage rack provided, preferably after a quick inspection, or store luggage in an area less likely to harbor bed bugs, such as a tiled bathroom. It is also wise to inspect mattress seams, headboards, and nearby furniture for signs of bed bugs before settling into a room," he said.

"After returning home, unpack immediately. Place clothing directly into a hot dryer or wash cycle, as high heat effectively kills bed bug adults, nymphs, and eggs. Carefully inspect luggage and store it away from sleeping areas until it can be checked or treated if necessary. Travelers should also remain mindful in public settings. Bags left on public transportation seats, hotel beds, or upholstered furniture may be exposed to hitchhiking bed bugs," Booth said

What if they're already in your house?

"If bed bugs are found at home, early intervention is critical. Infestations are much easier and less expensive to eliminate when detected early. Professional treatment by a licensed pest management specialist is often the most effective approach, particularly once bed bugs have become established," Booth said.

Your newest research suggests that a coordinated, community-wide approach makes for the best strategy to fight bed bug infestation. What would such an approach look like?

"I envision that a coordinated, community-wide approach to bed bug control would shift management from treating individual infestations to addressing bed bugs as a shared problem, integrating surveillance, early detection, and geographic mapping of infestations across homes, multi-unit housing, shelters, hotels, and other high-risk locations," Booth said.

"Management efforts would focus on simultaneous inspections and treatments of connected units and buildings, reducing re-infestation from neighboring sources. The approach could also incorporate insecticide resistance monitoring, population genetic analyses to track dispersal and sources of infestation, then standardize treatment protocols through this data-driven approach," he said.

"Public education, resident engagement, and financial assistance programs that support early reporting and effective intervention are equally important, particularly in underserved communities. Through collaboration among public health agencies, housing authorities, researchers, extension personnel, and pest management professionals, I feel that such a program could transform reactive bed bug control responses into proactive, data-driven management that reduces bed bug prevalence at the community level."