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With the seemingly unstoppable spread of bed bugs, especially the rapid pace in which infestations expand in apartment buildings, hotels, dorms and schools, many wonder if there are bed bugs in the walls, making it easy for them to move from location to location.Two Perspectives on the Bed Bugs in the Walls Debate

Bed Bugs hiding in a wall crack

While its common knowledge that there may very well be bed bugs in the walls when a structure is infested, there is still debate as to if this is the origin of the infestation and/or the primary cause of the infestation spreading to other locations. One family who moved into a new apartment and got bed bugs believed that they came into their home from being transferred on clothing and furniture. Of course, that can also be true.

The University of Kentucky, in its researchabout bed bugs, both agrees and disagrees with the idea that bed bugs in the walls are a primary way they spread. In their research on how bed bugs originate, they noted the following:

The bugs are efficient hitchhikers and are usually transported into dwellings on luggage, clothing, beds, furniture, and other items. This is a particular risk for hotels and apartments, where turnover of occupants is constant. Bed bugs are small and agile, escaping detection after crawling into suitcases, backpacks and belongings. Acquiring secondhand beds, couches and furniture is another way that the bugs are transported into buildings. Bed bugs also can be carried in on ones clothing, shoes or wheelchair. Once bed bugs are introduced, they can crawl from room to room or floor to floor. They can also be transported throughout buildings on people and their belongings.

Yet, they do not rule out the use of walls as a means of bed bugs spreading out throughout a building. Their research also concluded, Once bed bugs are introduced, they often spread throughout a building. The bugs can travel from room to room or floor to floor either by crawling or via a person. And, because there may be cracks and crevices in walls, it makes sense to think that they can hide out here and also avoid some bed bug treatments this way. Eventually, they will come out and seek beds and other areas, so it is important to re-inspect and re-treat those areas as well as inspecting any used furniture and other items like suitcases before bringing these items into a new location in case you are inadvertently transporting hitchhiking bed bugs.

In SummaryIn debating how bed bugs spread, this blog post noted the following points:

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Can Dogs Carry Bed Bugs? As human beings, we seem to have a love/hate relationship with dogs and bed bugs. Thats because we love our dogs and hate the bed bugs. And the very last thing we want to do is see them together.

The question is, can dogs carry bed bugs? The simple answer is, yes, but it is important that you are aware of some simple facts to protect both yourself and your home.

They sure can. Although it is typically uncommon for bed bugs to make their way onto your pet while its outside after all, bed bugs are nocturnal and they dont particularly like fur for the safety of your pet and your family, you shouldnt disregard the possibility. Bed bugs arent smart enough to knowingly hitch a ride on your pet in order to gain entry into your home, but if your dog encounters another dog who has them or a patch of grass where the critters happen to be, theres a chance they might use your dog as a way of inadvertently being smuggled inside.

Latching onto a dog is a bed bugs last resort. They dont want to climb through all that fur to get to some juicy skin they can siphon blood out of. If bed bugs do get on your dog and can get to the skin, however, they will treat your family pet in the same way they will treat you. Which means not very well, as they bite and suck blood until youre able to get rid of them. The good news is that, unlike other blood-sucking parasites, bed bugs do not carry disease. The good/bad news is that once a bed bug leaves your dog, it is more likely to find its way to you rather than back to your pet.

Unfortunately, topical flea and tick medications that you apply to your dog will not kill bed bugs. What youll want to do is contact your veterinarian and let them know what youve discovered. He or she will tell you the best treatments available. For example, certain shampoos used to kill bed bugs on a dog are harmful to a cat, so a veterinarian will need to know if you have cats living in your home and how to avoid exposure.

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