At A Glance
- What this article covers: Common bed bug myths and the truth behind them.
- Why it matters: Bed bugs can infest any home, and myths often delay proper treatment.
- What you’ll learn: How bed bugs spread, why cleaning alone isn’t enough, and how to tell if you have an infestation.
- How Harbor can help: Professional inspection, targeted treatments, and follow-up plans based on the severity of your infestation.
Myth #1: Bed Bugs Only Infest Dirty Homes
Truth: Bed bugs do not care how clean your home is.
A common belief is that bed bugs only show up in messy homes. While clutter can give them more hiding places, bed bugs can infest any home, clean or not.
They’re hitchhikers. They travel in luggage, clothing, used furniture, and even on backpacks. So if you have bed bugs, it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong; it just means they found a way in.
What to do instead:
- When traveling, check hotel rooms
- Inspect luggage and used furniture before bringing them into your home
- Contact a professional as soon as you confirm signs of activity
Myth #2: Bed Bugs Can Fly
Truth: Bed bugs cannot fly — but they can crawl fast.
Bed bugs infest hard-to-see (or reach) places like mattress seams, bed frames, and behind baseboards. This leads people to believe they must be flying.
In reality, bed bugs crawl, and they can climb almost any surface. Their bodies are designed for squeezing into tiny cracks, not flying.
Myth #3: Cleaning Will Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Truth: Cleaning helps, but it won’t eliminate a bed bug infestation.
Vacuuming, laundering sheets, and disinfecting surfaces are reasonable steps, but they’re not enough on their own. Bed bugs hide in places cleaning tools can’t reach, like:
- Inside walls
- Under carpet edges
- Behind baseboards
- Inside furniture seams
What cleaning CAN do:
- Reduce bed bug numbers (don’t forget to throw the vacuum bag out)
- Remove eggs on exposed surfaces
- Help improve inspection accuracy
But to eliminate bed bugs, professional treatment is usually required.
Myth #4: Bed Bugs Only Bite People While They Sleep
Truth: Bed bugs can bite during the day, especially if they’re hungry.
Most bed bug bites happen at night because bed bugs are primarily nocturnal, and that’s when people are still and warm. But bed bugs will bite any time they can access a host, including:
- Sitting on a couch
- Resting in a chair
- Using a recliner or other furniture
If you have bed bugs, you may find bites even if you weren’t sleeping.
Myth #5: Bed Bugs Bite Every Night
Truth: Bed bugs do not feed every night.
Many homeowners expect to see fresh bites daily, but bed bugs don’t behave like that. Their feeding schedule depends on:
- How hungry they are
- Temperature and conditions
- How easy it is to access a host
Most bed bugs feed every few days or once a month, not nightly.
How Harbor Pest Control Can Help With Bed Bugs
If you discover bed bugs in your home, professional help is the fastest and most effective way to eliminate them and prevent them from coming back. At Harbor Pest Control, we understand how unsettling bed bugs can be, and we’re here to help you reclaim your home and peace of mind with expert bed bug control.
Thorough Bed Bug Inspection
When you call Harbor, one of our experienced pest control specialists will inspect your home to:
- Identify where bed bugs are hiding
- Determine how extensive the infestation is
- Recommend the best treatment approach
- Give you a clear preparation checklist before service begins
Harbor tailors every bed bug treatment plan to your home’s specific needs so you aren’t left guessing what comes next.
Proven Treatment Options
At Harbor Pest Control, we offer two treatment options and will recommend the best choice based on the size and severity of your infestation.
Targeted Conventional Treatments
This option focuses on key areas like baseboards, beds, furniture, and other hiding spots. You’ll need to be out of the house for at least four hours during service, and technicians will walk you through every step beforehand. We’ll also provide follow-up services to ensure every last bed bug is gone, ensuring peace of mind!
Whole-Home Fumigation
For more widespread infestations, Harbor offers whole-home fumigation, an intensive treatment typically completed in 2 to 2.5 days. This is a one-time, intensive treatment that eliminates adult bed bugs, nymphs, and eggs.
Ready for a Bed Bug-Free Home?
If you suspect bed bugs in your home, don’t wait; the sooner you act, the easier it is to eliminate them. Harbor Pest Control has been serving San Diego and the surrounding communities since 1948, and we’re ready to help you reclaim your home. Contact us today to schedule a bed bug inspection!
Originally published January 1, 2018. Updated for accuracy and relevance in 2026
