Top 10 myths about bed bugs

Updated on: 12/06/2026

Key takeaways

• Bed bugs can't fly — they spread by hitchhiking on luggage, clothing, and furniture.
• Bed bugs don't only bite at night; they feed whenever a host is nearby.
• Bed bugs live far beyond the bedroom, in sofas, outlets, and luggage.
• Clean homes aren't immune: bed bugs are attracted to people, not mess.
• DIY treatments rarely work; professional control is the most effective solution.

Bed bug myths have been around since ancient times. Over the centuries, they've evolved from outright folklore into half-truths that still trip people up today. Questions like "Do bed bugs only bite at night?”, “Can bed bugs fly?” or “Can bed bugs transmit diseases?” are more common than you'd think. The answers might surprise you.

As your local bed bug control experts, we're setting the record straight. Here are the top 10 bed bug myths, debunked.

Myth 1: You can't see bed bugs with the naked eye.

Actually, yes you can. Bed bugs are a dark reddish-brown color (even darker after a blood meal) and are about the size of an apple seed. Younger bed bugs and bed bug eggs can be more difficult to see. Early instar bed bugs are lighter in color and can be as small as a pinhead. The eggs are even smaller than that.

Myth 2: Bed bugs can jump and fly.

Luckily this one is false. Bed bugs don’t have wings, so they aren’t able to fly anywhere. Additionally, their legs do not enable them to do much jumping. The most they can do is crawl at a speed of approximately 1 meter per minute. Even though they’re relatively fast, bed bugs won’t come running toward you when you enter a room. Instead, they’ll wait until you’re sleeping before they come around.

Myth 3: Bed bugs can live a year without eating.

Bed bugs can go quite a while without eating, but they likely won’t make it an entire year. In a typical residence with “normal” temperature and moisture conditions, adult bed bugs can go 2-3 months without a meal. In colder conditions, they may live longer without feeding. Young bed bugs need to eat more often than adults and will not survive without doing so.

Myth 4: Bed bugs only bite at night.

Nighttime is prime time for bed bugs. That being said, they’ll still feed at other times when the opportunity presents itself. For example, if a person works the night shift and sleeps during the day, bed bugs will adapt to feed during the day instead. Their preference is to feed while we sleep. And just in case you were considering it, sleeping with the lights on won’t fool them. A little bit of light won’t deter a hungry bed bug.   

Myth 5: Bed bugs are only found on beds.

Despite their name, bed bugs are not only found on beds. They like to stay close to the source of heat (and blood), but they can be found anywhere people spend sedentary time such as couches and wheelchairs. Bed bugs can also be found in carpet and along the crevices of drawers and cupboards.

Myth 6: Bed bugs prefer unsanitary conditions.

Bed bugs are often associated with “dirty” environments but in reality, they don’t discriminate. They can be found in luxury apartments just as easily as they can be found in a homeless shelter. Bed bugs are found more frequently in areas in which there are a lot of people, and consequently, a lot of blood. Though the cleanliness of a property does not impact the probability of an infestation, clutter makes it more difficult to detect and control bed bug populations.

Myth 7: Bed bugs travel on people.

You’ve probably heard bed bugs are frequent travelers. That part isn’t untrue. However, bed bugs don’t travel on people. Unlike ticks or lice, bed bugs do not latch onto their hosts, especially when said hosts are moving around. More likely, the pests will travel on personal items such as backpacks or luggage.

Myth 8: Bed bugs transmit disease

Anxiety. Sleepless nights. Itchiness. Bed bugs can cause many things, but disease isn’t one of them. A secondary infection can result from scratching bed bug bites with dirty fingernails, but the bug itself does not transmit disease through its bites.

Myth 9: Doctors can identify bed bug bites.

If a doctor has ever “identified” bed bug bites on you or a loved one, they are likely just speculating. It is not scientifically possible to distinguish between bites from different insects. Not to mention, everyone reacts differently. Only 40-50% of people even react to bed bug bites at all.

Myth 10: DIY bed bug control methods are effective.

DIY bed bug control is largely ineffective. Aside from the fact that bed bugs are becoming increasingly resistant to over-the-counter solutions, eliminating EVERY single adult bed bug, egg, and larva is a very daunting task. Be that as it may, bed bug removal professionals like the experts at Western Exterminator have the necessary training and tools to tackle it.

Professional bed bug control services

At Western Exterminator, our bed bug control services include a range of proven treatment options, from heat treatment and steam remediation to fumigation, tailored to your property and the scale of the infestation. We start with a thorough bed bug inspection to find exactly where they're hiding, then build a plan to help get rid of them at every stage of their life cycle.