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Updated: Feb 22, 2026
A Method for Evaluating Insecticide Efficacy against Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius, Eggs and First Instars
Published on: March 15, 2017
Bed bug aggregation on dirty laundry: a mechanism for passive dispersal
William T Hentley1, Ben Webster2, Sophie E F Evison2
1The Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. w.hentley@sheffield.ac.uk.
Abstract:
Bed bugs have shown a recent and rapid global expansion that has been suggested to be caused by cheap air travel. How a small, flightless and anachoretic insect that hides within its host's sleeping area manages to travel long distances is not yet clear. Bed bugs are attracted to the odour of sleeping humans and we suggest that soiled clothing may present a similarly attractive cue, allowing bed bugs to 'hitch-hike' around the world after aggregating in the laundry bags of travellers. We show that (1) soiled clothing is significantly more attractive than clean clothing to active bed bugs moving within a bedroom sized arena and (2) elevation of CO2 to a level that simulates human occupancy in the same arena appears to initiate search behaviour rather than direct it. Our results show, for the first time, how leaving worn clothing exposed in sleeping areas when travelling can be exploited by bed bugs to facilitate passive dispersal.
Insights
Bed bugs hitch-hike globally by hiding in soiled clothing, attracted to the scent of travelers. This passive dispersal method explains their rapid worldwide expansion.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Urban ecology
- Pest management
Background:
- Global expansion of bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) linked to travel.
- Dispersal mechanisms for flightless insects remain unclear.
- Bed bugs are attracted to human cues like odor and CO2.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the role of soiled clothing in bed bug dispersal.
- Determine if soiled clothing is a viable cue for bed bug aggregation.
- Clarify how bed bugs passively disperse via human travel.
Main Methods:
- Experimental arenas simulating bedroom environments.
- Choice experiments comparing attraction to clean vs. soiled clothing.
- Assessment of bed bug response to CO2 levels simulating human presence.
Main Results:
- Active bed bugs showed significantly higher attraction to soiled clothing compared to clean clothing.
- Elevated CO2 levels initiated general search behavior but did not direct it.
- Soiled clothing serves as a strong attractant for bed bug aggregation.
Conclusions:
- Soiled clothing in laundry bags is a primary mechanism for bed bug passive dispersal.
- Travelers leaving soiled clothing exposed facilitates bed bug hitchhiking.
- Understanding this dispersal route aids in preventing global bed bug spread.
