Bed bugs are pesky insects that can have your life turned upside down. They can be found in homes and hotels, especially in beds, mattress covers, and bed frame. What’s more interesting is they can be seen crawling up in the wall and ceilings of an infested area.
Our team researched for 36 hours to help you answer the question, “why do bed bugs crawl up walls and ceilings?”
5 Reasons Why Bed Bugs Crawl Up Walls and Ceilings
1. They Have the Ability to Climb Walls and Ceilings
A bed bug climbs a wall and the ceiling simply because they can. Remember that bed bugs have six legs, a flat body, and an exoskeleton made of hard plates that protect their bodies. They also have flexible bodies (like most insects), allowing them to squeeze into tight cracks.
This makes it possible for bed bugs to climb up 12 feet high by using their front two legs as anchors, while the other four are used for movement or anchoring themselves on surfaces made up of almost any material (stone, marble, wood, etc.).
2. They Want to Hide in Cracks and Crevices
Bed bugs conceal themselves during the day, so they do their best to stay in the crevices of walls and ceilings. Furthermore, they can fit into small spaces – even as small as a dime in diameter!
This is why these nasty critters can be found near electrical outlets and other places where pipes are located since these are some areas where they can easily conceal themselves from light or humans during the day. But does painting the walls get rid of bed bugs?
3. They Want to Escape from the Treatment
Bed bugs are attracted to heat, so when you turn on the heat and point it towards an infested area, they will be pushed away from that heat source and move towards cooler areas of the house. This includes the wall, ceilings, and other rooms or areas of your home.
They’re also looking for a new hideout where humans or their pets won’t find them. Bed bugs like dark places (e.g., beds, bed frames, or a bed leg) where they don’t have to worry about being spotted so that exterminators won’t be able to get rid of them easily [1].
4. They Are Searching for Food
You may think that bed bugs are creepy crawlies that feed on blood and not much else, but they are actually very good at locating a food source. Bed bugs hide in various places after they search for food, which is why you can find bed bugs crawling on ceilings.
They will travel to every corner of your room just to find themselves a decent meal.
5. They Are Looking for a New Hideout
Bed bugs are very light-sensitive, so they crawl on ceilings to find a new den or hideout to stay in. A good way to check for bed bug activity is to inspect your bedroom, particularly wooden furniture, curtains, or bunk beds, and ensure that there is no bedbug infestation.
Bed bugs may relocate or find a new hideout after an exterminator sprays chemicals to target infestation all over the place.
Read: How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs On Couch
How Do They Crawl?
Bed bugs can creep on ceilings with the help of special hooks on their legs that allow them to cling to the surface. They use these hooks to climb up walls, clothes, and keep themselves on your bedding.
Bed bugs also tend to climb toward things emitting high heat, which is why they often appear in crevices near windows or lamps [2].
If you are checking for an infestation, these are some of the places you can check first, like your dirty laundry, under the mattresses, and beneath your rugs.
When Does Bed Bug Crawl Up The Ceiling?
Bed bugs can reach the ceilings anytime, but they might make a move once the environment begins to get dark. Although bed bugs feed at night, they can remain active during daylight if needed.
Bed bugs tend to bite people and suck human blood while their victims sleep. This means that if you do not sleep through the night, you are less likely to be bitten when an infestation spreads out than someone who does sleep through it. But can you duct tape bed bugs?
Do They Lay Eggs There?
Bed bugs do not lay eggs on the ceiling, though they can be found there. Bed bugs live in cracks, crevices, and other secluded areas protected from predators.
This means that these eggs will most likely be found in the same place where a bed bug infestation is present, but sometimes, they may also be found in places like under wallpaper, smooth surfaces, electrical outlets, or baseboards.
If you see a perfectly smooth surface with bed bug trails, simply pour hot water on the surface or floor. These places are equally attractive to these pests.
You may also install a trap or repellent after this procedure to prevent the further development of the infestation.
FAQs
Can bed bugs crawl on walls and ceilings during the daytime?
Yes, bed bugs can travel on walls, ceilings, or furniture during the day. However, they are more nocturnal creatures and prefer to hide in dark places. This is why they usually come out at night when you’re sleeping or have been gone for a while.
Do bed bugs crawl fast or slow?
Bed bugs are slow crawlers, but they can quickly reach the ceiling or walls of a room by climbing on the furniture and other easily accessible items in your home. You might also see them crawling along baseboards, window sills, and other places close to the wall or ceiling.
How do you keep bed bugs from climbing walls?
You can keep bed bugs from climbing walls by placing interceptors.
Why would bed bugs be on the wall?
Bed bugs on your walls mean that the infestation has become too intense. These pesky critters are known to climb up pipes, wires, and even walls in their attempt to look for food.
Can bed bugs drop off on you from the ceiling?
Yes, they can. Bed bugs can drop from the ceiling, so you need to be extra careful. Early detection is the key to preventing an infestation.
Let’s Sum It Up
Bed bugs can reach hidden places like the box frame of your mattress and can reach as high as the ceilings. There is no limit to the places they can reach, so you need to act as soon as you see signs that you have bed bugs in your home.
Get rid of them immediately and stop bed bugs from spreading further in other areas of your home. Contact a pest control professional as soon as possible as they can help identify the source of the problem and kill bed bugs with an extermination plan designed specifically for your home or business.
Get rid of these nasty pests and take back the peaceful night’s rest you deserve!
References:
- https://www.michigan.gov/documents/emergingdiseases/mattress_fact_sheet_275417_7.pdf
- https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/bed-bug-myths
Alene Schill is a property manager from Columbus, Ohio, who has dealt with numerous pest control agencies. She helps families find the perfect homes and knows very well that bed bugs are an ultimate deal-breaker. She enjoys cycling around Scioto Mile during her spare time.