How Far Do Bed Bugs Travel to Feed?

One of the most important questions that you might have in your mind when you’re trying to figure out the spread of bedbugs is, how far do bedbugs travel to feed? Despite the fact that bedbugs don’t fly, they can easily travel several feet. They can also crawl at a fast pace, reaching a speed of 3 to 4 feet per minute, depending on the surface and obstacles. While this may not seem like a large distance, bedbugs are fast enough to cover several square feet in a day or two.

To feed, bedbugs need blood, so they feed at night. Their mouthparts are elongated and have four stylets that they use to pierce human skin. When at rest, they fold these stylets under their bodies, but during feeding, they fully extend. They have two canals in their mouths: a salivary canal and a food canal. The small one carries saliva into the wound, while the large one takes in body fluids.

If you have a bed bug infestation, your best bet is to remove infested items immediately. Bedbugs can contaminate wood furniture with their eggs, which can remain viable for years.