Can You Get Bed Bugs From Hugging Someone?

Having someone’s arms around you can make you feel wanted and safe. However, it can also leave you feeling unsafe if the person has a disease that you can catch through direct contact. According to exterminators, bed bugs can easily spread from one room to the other.

They can also spread from one apartment to the other trouble-free. Because of this, you fear that you may bring home some bed bugs by hugging a person who has an infestation at home.

So, can you get bed bugs from hugging someone?

Pest control experts confirm that the chance of having a bed bug infestation from a hug is very little. However, it is possible if the person is wearing clothes with bed bugs on them. Another way of getting them is by putting clothes on a bed in someone’s home with a bed bug infestation.

Just because someone has a problem with bed bugs doesn’t mean that you should be less affectionate or intimate with him or her for fear that you may end up with a bed bug infestation, too.

If you do, you are more likely to end up being seen as an arrogant person than bringing home some bed bugs. However, as always, there are exceptions to the rule. Read on to know some of the most important matters that you need to know about hugging and having bed bugs.

Pro-tip: Exposing bed bugs to high temperatures (over 120°F) kills them in a matter of minutes. If you want to get rid of bed bugs without calling an exterminator check the best steam cleaners that produce over 300°F on Amazon now.

A Bed Bug Infestation is Not a Communicable Disease

There are many health-related issues that you can get by hugging someone who is infected. Some of them include the common cold and/or flu. However, a bed bug infestation is definitely not one of those communicable diseases.

Due to this, you can hug a person who has a bed bug problem at home without ending up with an infestation yourself. Professional exterminators confirm that the risk of catching bed bugs this way is very slim.

It doesn’t mean, however, that it is impossible to happen.

If you are aware that your family member or friend’s bed bug problem is severe and he or she is wearing a coat, jacket or any other garment that has lots of nooks and crannies where bed bugs may hide in, there is a possibility for some of them to crawl onto or stick to your clothes while you are in the middle of hugging. And when you go home, they may end up on your bed.

You may also get bed bugs from placing your garments on any infested surface in someone’s home. If you know that there are bed bugs around, avoid contact with anything that could be teeming with bed bugs.

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There is another thing that can make it easy for bed bugs to get to your home, and it is by means of your luggage. This is why you should be extra careful when sleeping over at a family member or friend’s house with a bed bug infestation. The same is true when staying in a hotel room where there could be an infestation.

Bed Bugs Can Easily Spread Through Your Luggage

One of the worst things that could happen to you when traveling is sharing your hotel room with bed bugs. It is safe to assume that the bed is infested with those creepy crawlers if you wake up the following morning with red spots that tend to itch like crazy. The same is true if you can see some dark red spots on the sheets.

Unfortunately, your encounter with bed bugs does not begin and end with your hotel stay. There is a possibility that you may bring home some of them and end up with a bed bug infestation yourself.

Exterminators say that bed bugs can easily travel from a hotel room to your bedroom (and elsewhere in your home) through your luggage.

This is especially true if you keep your luggage next to the hotel bed. Some of the bed bugs may be tempted to hide in the items in your luggage or in the seams or pockets of your luggage itself during the day when all they want to do is sleep after feasting on your blood.

When you check out and some bed bugs happen to be in your luggage, they can be introduced into your home the minute that you arrive and unpack your belongings.

If you suspect that there are bed bugs in your hotel room, ask to be moved to a different room.

This is when the importance of staying in a reliable hotel when traveling comes in. You may continue reading to know how to keep any hotel bed bug from wreaking havoc at home.

How to Prevent a Bed Bug Infestation After a Trip

Worry not if you believe that you could be bringing home not only souvenirs for your loved ones after your trip but also bed bugs.

That’s because there are some things you may do that can keep any bed bugs potentially lurking in your luggage from getting to your bed and elsewhere in your home to build a family.

Follow these steps to lower your risk of ending up with a bed bug problem for staying in an infested hotel room:

As soon as you arrive, head straight to where the washing machine is together with your luggage.
Wash items that can be laundered in hot water. Toss them in the hot dryer afterward.
Items that cannot be laundered can be steam cleaned as heat can kill bed bugs.
Thoroughly vacuum any item that cannot be steam cleaned. Empty the bag in a plastic bag, seal, and dispose of.
Steam clean or vacuum the luggage itself to kill or remove any remaining bed bug.

By carefully following these steps, you can have peace of mind that it is unlikely for you to have a bed bug infestation at home after staying in a hotel room that is likely to be a playground for bed bugs.

Just Before You Hug Someone With a Bed Bug Problem

Feel free to hug someone who has a bed bug infestation at home. Unlike a number of diseases that can spread from one person to the other through direct contact, bed bugs can spread from one home to the other via a different mode.

Never allow one’s bed bug infestation to keep you from showing or getting affection through a hug.

It doesn’t mean, however, that there is no possibility that you will get a bed bug issue. If the person is wearing a garment with bed bugs on it, some of them may crawl onto your clothes and end up inside your home.

Just keep in mind that the risk of that happening is very low.

To make sure that a family member or friend’s problem with bed bugs won’t bug you, too, refrain from putting your garment on the bed or any potentially infested piece of furniture when paying his or her home a visit.

You should also avoid sitting where bed bugs could be hiding. To be safe, it is a wonderful idea to meet the person at a café for some chat instead of his or her home.