What Attracts Bed Bugs? Understanding Why They Invade Homes

These pests are attracted to and can be found in everyday living spaces (not just beds) and knowing exactly what might bring them in can help stop bedbugs before they spread. Join the pest experts at A-1 Pest Control to learn what attracts bed bugs, signs you have bed bugs, and how to get rid of and prevent them.

What Attracts Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs thrive in warm, dark environments where people sleep, rest, or store belongings. Many homeowners are surprised to learn that what attracts bed bugs has little to do with dirty places; instead, bed bugs are attracted to cues that help them locate a host or hide safely during the day.

Human Presence and Body Heat

Bed bugs are attracted to body heat and carbon dioxide. When people sleep, they exhale more carbon dioxide and maintain steady warmth. These signals help bugs feed at night by guiding them toward a blood meal.

Human blood is their only food source, which is why adult bed bugs and young bedbugs typically settle near beds and sleeping areas.

Carbon Dioxide Around Sleeping Areas

Carbon dioxide builds up around where people sleep, drawing bed bugs from hiding spots several feet away. This is one reason infestations often begin around a bed frame, mattress seams, box spring, or upholstered furniture close to the bed.

Clutter and Hidden Harborage Sites

Bedbugs live in cracks and crevices, especially when clutter allows them to hide undetected. Cluttered bedrooms, piles of clothing, or stored items create ideal hiding spots, making it harder to notice bedbugs before they reproduce and lay eggs. Reducing clutter makes it easier to detect bed bug infestations early.

Used Furniture and Secondhand Items

Used furniture, especially used mattresses or upholstered furniture, can harbor adult bedbugs, bedbug eggs, and young bedbugs. Infested items may look clean to the naked eye, but bed bugs hide deep in seams and joints. Always inspect secondhand furniture before bringing it into living spaces.

Travel and Hitchhiking

Hotel rooms, public transportation, and other shared spaces can expose travelers to bed bugs. These pests often hide in luggage, backpacks, plastic bags, or clothing. Even brief contact with an infested location can be enough for bed bugs to travel home with you.

Dirty Laundry and Odors

Bed bugs are attracted to the scent of human sweat. Dirty laundry left near the bed may encourage bugs to hide inside clothing piles. Regular cleaning reduces these attractants and removes hiding opportunities.

Where Bed Bugs Hide Inside a Home

Of course, you might find these little pests in a bed, but that’s not the only place they hide.

If you notice bedbugs moving beyond the bed, professional treatment is likely needed.

Signs You May Have Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are often mistaken for other pests, so identifying the signs early is important.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Getting rid of bed bugs requires persistence and a comprehensive approach. Because these pests penetrate deep into cracks and hiding spots, DIY efforts often miss parts of the life cycle, which means the infestation can return.

Identify the Problem

Look for adult bedbugs, bedbug eggs, dark spots, or cast skins in mattress seams, bed frames, upholstered furniture, or hiding spots near where people sleep.

Declutter and Clean

Reducing clutter removes many of the hiding places that attract bed bugs. Vacuum regularly, especially along seams, cracks, and edges. A vacuum cleaner with strong suction and a crevice tool can help reach deeper areas.

Wash Items in Hot Water

Wash bedding, curtains, and washable infested items in hot water, followed by a hot dryer. High heat helps kill bedbugs on fabric surfaces and supports professional treatment efforts.

Use Mattress and Box Spring Encasements

Encasements trap any remaining bugs inside and help prevent bed bugs from hiding in mattress seams again. They can also help you notice bedbugs earlier in the future.

Diatomaceous Earth (With Caution)

Diatomaceous earth may help reduce numbers, but it is not a complete solution and should be used only as recommended by a pest control professional.

Professional Pest Control

Because bed bugs are extremely difficult to eliminate, a trained pest control company is often necessary, especially when all the bugs cannot be located or when a severe infestation is present. A professional can create a plan to effectively kill bed bugs at every stage of the life cycle.

How to Prevent Bed Bugs

There are a few key steps you can take for bed bug prevention.

Reduce Clutter and Maintain Regular Cleaning

Fewer hiding spots make it easier to notice bedbugs early and stop bedbugs from spreading.

Seal Cracks and Entry Points

Seal cracks in walls, floors, and baseboards to reduce hiding places.

Inspect Hotel Rooms

Check beds, mattress seams, and upholstered furniture before setting luggage down.

Protect Stored Items

Use plastic bags for travel items and avoid placing bags on hotel beds.

Be Careful With Secondhand Furniture

Inspect every piece thoroughly. Avoid curbside items altogether.

Simple prevention habits can reduce the risk of bed bug infestations significantly.

Final Word: What Attracts Bed Bugs?

So, what attracts bed bugs? These pests are attracted to body heat, carbon dioxide, cluttered environments, and opportunities to hide close to sleeping areas. They do not require dirty places to survive. They just need a warm, stable environment where people sleep. Understanding what attracts bed bugs is one of the most effective ways to prevent a bedbug infestation before it starts.

Whether you need help identifying an issue or eliminating bed bugs completely, A-1 Pest Control is here to help. We provide safe, effective treatments (without heat treatments) to get rid of bed bugs and protect your home year-round.

We proudly serve Western North Carolina from our Lenoir office, including including Blowing Rock, Mooresville, Hickory, West Jefferson, Asheville, and Hendersonville.

Contact A-1 Pest Control for a FREE inspection today!