Can You Get Bed Bugs From Walking In Someone’s House?

Despite their reputation of being particularly pernicious little pests, bed bugs are not contagious – that is to say, they will not simply spread from one person to another. However, there are a few things to note about how they “transmit”.

Can You Get Bed Bugs From Walking In Someone’s House?

It’s possible you could get bed bugs from simply walking in someone’s house where bed bugs are present. But it’s highly unlikely this will happen.

In this article, we’ll go over all the details.


Can You Get Bed Bugs From Walking In Someone’s House?

If you ever find yourself inside a bed bug-infested home, you will be worried about bringing some of the little blighters with you when you leave. This is a perfectly natural, reasonable fear to have.

But rest assured that the chances of a bed bug latching onto you while you walk around are very low.

Phew.

But rest assured that the chances of a bed bug latching onto you while you walk around are very low.


Why Are Bed Bugs Unable to Latch Onto You?

Unlike fleas or lice, bed bugs do not live on people’s bodies. They don’t have the ability to cling to hair or skin.

If a bed bug tries to latch onto you, it will fall off as soon as you start moving around.

Unlike fleas or lice, bed bugs do not live on people’s bodies. They don’t have the ability to cling to hair or skin.

Bed bugs are nocturnal creatures, only venturing out at night to feed.

During the day, they will linger in bundles of clothes, bed sheets, blankets, and bags, among other things. 


How Are Bed Bugs Able to Spread?

While the chances of you bringing bed bugs home with you after a quick visit to an infested house are low, there are a few cases in which they may find their way to you anyway. 

As mentioned, bed bugs live in piles of clothing, sheets, and bags. Therefore, if you visit a friend whose house has become host to a family of bed bugs, it’s possible there are some bugs in the sofa, or on a piece of clothing. 

If your friend were to wear an infected jacket while you visited and you were to hug them and greet them, one of the bed bugs could theoretically jump out and scurry to the nearest bundle of clothing.

Unfortunately, it only takes one female bed bug to bring on an infestation and months of misery! 


How Can You Tell if Your Friend’s House Is Infested?

Despite their reclusive habits, bed bugs leave behind several clues that hint at their presence. All it takes is a keen eye to spot them.

Hopefully, if your friend discovers the presence of bed bugs, they will tell you! Here are the most common places they hide.

  • Bed bugs are typically found in cracks and crevices during the day or anywhere devoid of direct sunlight. Of course, they love mattresses, but also bed frames and sheets.
  • Bed bugs also leave fecal spots behind after defecating. These spots resemble small ink stains and rub off just as easily (that is, not easily).
  • Bed bugs also shed their exoskeletons the bigger they grow. These shells look like unmoving translucent brown insects. 
  • Last but not least, bed bugs also leave ugly red spots of blood when killed. They are engorged with blood — usually human blood.  

How Can You Avoid Getting Bed Bugs From a Friend?

With all this in mind, you may be wondering how best to avoid contracting bed bugs from anyone with an infested home. Naturally, the topic of bed bugs can be difficult to broach, as they are often associated with poor or dirty homes. 

However, the simple truth is that bed bugs can be found in even the most well-maintained dwellings.

Nevertheless, approach this topic with care and delicacy.

  • Communicate with your friend. Ensure that they are regularly cleaning their bedding, clothes, bags, etc., if they have recently encountered bed bugs. 
  • Beyond that, it may be wise to avoid having your friend over while their house is still infested. Likewise, try not to visit them while this is happening.
  • You may want to skip the hugs and intimate contact for a little while.
  • If you’ve been in their car, it’s possible the bugs can be transmitted through the car seats.
  • If you do visit your friend, take extra precautions – avoid wearing clothes with too many pockets, and prepare a clean change of clothes to change into just inside your front door.

It may be wise to avoid having your friend over while their house is still infested. Try not to visit them while this is happening.


Conclusion

As you can see, contracting bed bugs while visiting an infested house is rare. If you sat on infested furniture or hugged someone who just learned they have bed bugs, it’s possible you could bring them to your home. But even that is unlikely.

If you slept over or brought luggage for the night, that’s a different story.