6 Surprising Places Where You Can Pick Up Bed Bugs

17.11.2023 - 01:27 / forbes.com

Bed bugs are known to travel from hotels to unlucky travelers’ homes. But the pesky insects that cause itchy bites and are a pain to get rid of also hide out in several other places, many of which are popular on tourist circuits, according to pest experts.

“These tiny, resilient pests are notorious hitchhikers, and while most travelers are vigilant about hotel beds and luggage, bed bugs can sneak into your life from the most unexpected places,” says Lorne Hanewich, corporate trainer at Anticimex Carolinas, which has locations in two dozen U.S. states.

In general, bed bugs are attracted to warmth, carbon dioxide, and the scent of humans, Hanewich says. They seek out hiding spots close to their food source (i.e. people!) and places where they won't be disturbed. An abundance of hidden nooks, plus fabrics, and a regular influx of people is ideal for bed bugs.

Of course, it’s always a good idea to check your hotel room for bed bugs, but here’s six more spots where you can surprisingly pick up bed bugs whether you’re traveling or close to home, according to pest experts.

“Coat checks at theaters, museums, or event venues might seem innocuous, but they're communal spaces where bed bugs can linger,” says Hanewich.

Jackets piled together create cozy hiding spots, allowing these pests to hitch a ride home on someone's coat or bag, he says.

If you’re traveling in a taxi, train or bus — basically any shared space with upholstery — you could come across bed bugs.

The transient nature of these vehicles provides a perfect environment for bed bugs to hop from one passenger to another, making their way into bags or clothes, Hanewich says.

Busy hubs like malls, restaurants, and movie theaters might seem like unlikely bed bug hideouts, but the constant influx of people creates opportunities for these pests to tag along unnoticed, Hanewich says. They might lurk in upholstered seating, hidden in the seams of chairs or booths, ready to sneak into unsuspecting coats or bags.

Many travelers shop at flea markets and antique shops while abroad, hauling home art pieces, clothes, and other knickknacks. But second hand shops can be a hot spot for bed bugs, Hanewich says, with the insects burrowed in clothing and household items.

Christian Tweed, a specialist with Killingsworth, a pest management company, says he’s found bed bugs on brand-new furniture, still plastic-wrapped. So how exactly does that happen? Tweed explains that many mattress companies offer free removal of old mattresses. If your new bed is transported in a truck that hauled away an old bed with bed bugs, the insects could have latched on to the brand new mattress.

Of course, as their name suggests, bed bugs are commonly found in beds — in mattresses, upholstered