Bed bugs are small pests that no one wants to find in their home. With so many myths about these insects, you might wonder, do bed bugs fly or can bed bugs fly away to spread around your house? The short answer is no, bed bugs fly is not something you’ll hear because they don’t have wings.
 But they are fast crawlers and excellent hitchhikers, which makes them hard to avoid. This blog explains how bed bugs move, whether they jump or fly, and the best ways to get rid of them in 2025.
Can Bed Bugs Fly?
No, bed bugs don’t fly, and here is why. These pests don’t have wings, so flying isn’t an option for them. Unlike mosquitoes or flies, they can’t buzz around your home to find their next meal. Instead, they use their six legs to crawl across surfaces.
Since bed bugs fly myths still confuse many people, it’s important to note that their flat bodies allow them to squeeze into tiny cracks and crevices, but they must crawl to get there. If you see small reddish-brown bugs but don’t see them fly, you might have a bed bug problem.
Do Bed Bugs Jump?
Some other pests like fleas can jump long distances, which often makes identification tricky. But there’s good news here – bed bugs don’t jump either. Bed bugs lack the spring-like legs of fleas. Instead, they crawl slowly.
Bed bugs move just fast enough to reach their hiding spots after feeding, but jumping isn’t an ability they have. You can spot them crawling up beds and furniture, especially at night when they’re active. you can also read our latest post on Early Signs of Bed Bugs on Mattress. Explained in 2025
How Do Bed Bugs Move?
While bed bugs don’t fly or jump, they are great at sneaking from place to place. They are small, roughly the size of an apple seed, which helps them hide and go unnoticed. Here’s how bed bugs move:
- Crawling – Bed bugs crawl quickly to hide after feeding. They cover up to four feet per minute, which is efficient for such small insects.
- Hitchhiking – They travel by attaching themselves to your clothes, luggage, or furniture. This is one of the main ways infestations spread.
For example, if you stay at a hotel with bed bugs, they can latch onto your suitcase and return to your home. They hide well in bags, making them hard to notice. This hitchhiking nature is why vigilance is key when traveling or bringing second-hand furniture into your house.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in Your Home (2025)
Getting rid of bed bugs requires a strategic approach. They are tough to eliminate because they hide in tiny places and reproduce quickly. Here’s how you can tackle them effectively:
1. Identify the Problem
- Inspect your mattress, bed frame, cracks in walls, and furniture for bed bugs.
- Look for small reddish stains, shed skins, or live bugs.
2. Contain and Clean
- Wash all clothing, bedsheets, and fabrics in hot water and dry them on high heat. Hot temperatures kill both bed bugs and their eggs.
- Use a vacuum cleaner to clean carpets, furniture, and cracks in walls. Dispose of the vacuum bag immediately in a sealed plastic bag.
3. Use Bed Bug Encasements
- Cover your mattress and box spring with special bed bug-proof encasements. These traps stop bugs from escaping or entering.
4. Apply Heat or Cold Treatments
- Expose infested items to temperatures above 120°F or freeze them below 0°F for several days. Bed bugs cannot survive extreme temperatures. A steam cleaner is particularly helpful for furniture.
5. Employ Chemical Treatments
- Use EPA-approved bed bug sprays. Products like desiccants or plant-oil-based sprays work well to kill bed bugs directly. Chemical solutions are best handled with caution or by professionals.
6. Professional Help
- Call pest control experts if the infestation persists. Professionals like Orkin or Terminix use advanced heat treatments and safe insecticides to eliminate bed bugs.
Keep Your Home Bed Bug-Free
Preventing bed bugs is always easier than dealing with an infestation. Here are some quick tips to keep your home safe:
- Inspect your luggage and clothes after traveling.
- Avoid bringing second-hand furniture into your home without thoroughly checking it for signs of bed bugs.
- Keep your living spaces clean and clutter-free to reduce hiding spots.
- Use bed bug-proof encasements on your mattress and box spring.
- Regularly vacuum and clean your home, especially in areas where bed bugs might hide.
If you suspect bed bugs in your home, act quickly. Early detection and treatment can save you time, money, and stress. Don’t hesitate to call a professional pest control service if needed. With the right approach, you can keep your home safe and bed bug-free.
Do Bed Bugs Fly or Jump? General FAQsÂ
How do I get rid of bed bugs quickly?
Heat treatment is the fastest way. Wash and dry your fabrics on high heat or use a steamer on furniture. Professional extermination speeds up the process further.
What kills bed bugs permanently?
A combination of heat treatments, chemical insecticides, and preventive measures can permanently remove bed bugs. Ensure you follow up with regular inspections.
Is it okay to sleep in a bed with bed bugs?
While it’s not dangerous, sleeping in a bed with bed bugs can lead to uncomfortable bites and skin irritation. It’s better to address the infestation immediately.
How to prevent bed bug bites while sleeping?
Use bed bug-proof covers on mattresses and box springs. Additionally, keep your bed away from the wall and tuck in your sheets to stop crawling bugs.
What smells do bed bugs hate?
Bed bugs dislike strong-smelling essential oils like lavender, tea tree, and peppermint. However, these provide temporary relief and don’t eliminate infestations.
Will sleeping with lights on stop bed bugs?
No, bed bugs are attracted to body heat and carbon dioxide, not darkness. They’ll feed whether the lights are on or off.
What attracts bed bugs to bite you?
Bed bugs are drawn to the carbon dioxide you exhale and the warmth your body emits. They feed on human blood at night.
How do I keep bed bugs away from me at night?
Place interceptors under bed legs to trap them. Keep your bed area clean and free of clutter to reduce hiding spots.
What don’t bed bugs like?
Besides certain smells, bed bugs dislike high or low temperatures, clean environments, and areas with little clutter.
What is a bed bug’s weakness?
Bed bugs can’t fly or jump, making them reliant on crawling. They’re also sensitive to extreme heat and some natural desiccants like diatomaceous earth.
Is it possible to 100% get rid of bed bugs?
Yes, it is possible to completely eliminate bed bugs. Using heat treatments, chemical solutions, and preventive measures together can ensure success. Professional pest control services can also provide advanced solutions to guarantee complete eradication.
What materials do bed bugs hate?
Bed bugs struggle to hide in tightly woven fabrics and smooth, non-porous surfaces. Materials like metal and plastic are less appealing to them because they can’t easily cling to or burrow into these surfaces.
