How bed bugs got into your home

It is the first question everyone asks, often with a touch of shame. Clear answer: a bed bug infestation has nothing to do with cleanliness. These insects feed on blood, not dirt. They turn up in spotless homes, luxury hotels and brand-new offices.

The most common ways in

Travel and commuting

A suitcase set on a hotel bed, a bag placed on the floor of a bus or train, a coat hung near an infested seat. Bed bugs do not cling to bodies like lice: they climb into objects.

Second-hand furniture and items

A mattress picked up on the sidewalk, a sofa bought online, a dresser from a garage sale, second-hand books or frames. This is the most common cause after travel.

Neighbouring units

In a building, bed bugs travel through baseboards, electrical chases, ducts and corridors. An infested unit left untreated puts the ones above, below and on either side at risk.

Visitors and work

A backpack, a gym bag, a work uniform. People working in high-traffic settings (healthcare, transport, maintenance, hospitality) are more exposed.

Moving

Stored boxes, a shared truck, an infested previous home. Moving is a high-risk moment, especially in the denser parts of Montréal.

Why they establish so quickly

A female can lay several eggs a day for months. The young hide in tiny crevices and an individual can survive a long time without feeding. The result: an infestation starts from very little and stays invisible at first.

What to take from this

Looking for someone to blame achieves nothing; acting quickly does. See our prevention page for the habits that genuinely reduce risk, and travelling without bringing them back before your next trip.