Most people think of bed bugs as something that you can only get from a dirty bed in a seedy motel. However, these pests are becoming increasingly common in homes and apartments across the country. One of the ways of the appearance of bed bugs in your home is through packages you receive from online retailers.
When online shopping became popular, bed bug experts started to see an increase in the number of bed bug infestations that were linked to packages delivered to people’s homes. Once they arrive at their destination, they can quickly infest a home and start breeding.
Is It True That Amazon Packages Can Have Bedbugs in Them?
As the world becomes more and more digital, the way we shop for items is changing. More and more people are shopping online for items and having them delivered to their homes. This is especially true for items that are difficult to find in stores or that are cheaper online. Unfortunately, this convenience can come with a cost ― bedbugs.
We’ve all heard horror stories about bedbugs infesting homes and businesses, but could these pesky critters also be hitching a ride in our Amazon packages? While it’s certainly possible, there is no evidence to suggest that bedbugs are purposefully being introduced into Amazon shipments. However, that doesn’t mean that your package can’t become infested with bedbugs at some point during its journey from the Amazon warehouse to your doorstep.
These parasites can easily cling to clothing, furniture, and other items. So, if a package comes into contact with an infested item, there’s a chance that bedbugs could end up in the shipment. Once they’re in the package, they can survive for several days without food or water. But do bed bugs spread fast?
There have been several reports in the news of people finding bedbugs in their Amazon packages. Amazon has strict policies to prevent this from happening, but unfortunately, it is still possible for bedbugs to hitch a ride in a package and end up in your home.
Also, there have been recent reports of being found in bed bugs in shipping packages delivered by the postal service and other delivery companies.
While bedbugs are not known to transmit disease, they can cause anxiety and discomfort. They are attracted to the warmth and carbon dioxide emitted by humans and animals, and they typically bite people while they are sleeping. Bedbug bites can cause itching and redness; in some cases, they can lead to secondary infections if the bites become infected.
Of course, this isn’t the first time that bedbugs have been found in unlikely places. We’ve seen reports of bedbugs being found in movie theaters, on buses, and in other public places. So it’s not really surprising that they would turn up in packages at the post office.
It is important to remember that bedbugs are not exclusive to Amazon packages ― they can be brought into your home in any number of ways. If you think you have these parasites, the best thing to do is to contact a professional pest control company to have them removed.
How Do Bed Bugs Get Into Packages?
It’s actually quite simple. They crawl into any small opening or crevice they can find and wait for the package to be delivered. Once the package arrives at its destination, the bed bugs are free to explore their new environment and start feeding on the unsuspecting occupants.
How do bed bugs survive in parcels?
These parasites can survive for long periods without a meal. Adults can live for up to a year without feeding, while nymphs (immature bed bugs) can survive for several months. This is because they enter into a state of dormancy when food is scarce. In this state, they do not move or feed, and their metabolism slows down significantly.
When they are present in a home or business, they can quickly become a problem. They reproduce rapidly, and a single female can lay up to 500 eggs in her lifetime. These pests can travel long distances and spread quickly, infesting new areas in a short period of time.
How quickly do bed bugs spread?
Bedbugs are most active at night and are usually not seen during the day. They spread by crawling from one person or animal to another. They can also spread by crawling onto clothing, luggage, or other personal items and being carried to new locations.
These insects can live for several months without feeding, so they can easily spread from one person to another or from one location to another. They are most likely to spread with a high population of them in one area.
How do bed bugs spread from house to house?
Bed bugs hide during the day and come out at night to feed on their unsuspecting hosts. Once they feed, they return to their hiding spot. Bed bugs prefer to stay close to their host and can travel to other locations inside a building, such as apartments or homes. They can also spread to neighboring buildings, traveling up to 200 feet. They typically spread from house to house through people’s clothes and luggage.
Do bed bugs multiply?
Bed bugs have a three-stage life cycle. Adults lay eggs, which hatch into nymphs, which turn into adults. The eggs hatch in about 10 days and the nymphs (young bed bugs) are white and translucent. They molt five times before reaching adulthood and start to feed on blood about 10 days after hatching.
How to Keep Bed Bugs Out of Packages: Step-By-Step Instructions
If you’re expecting a package to be delivered and don’t want to risk the chance of bed bugs crawling into your home, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Here’s how to keep out bed bugs in cardboard boxes.
Step 1. Inspect the package before accepting it
To prevent bed bugs from entering your home through packages, inspect all packages before bringing them inside. Look for signs of bed bugs, such as small, brownish stains or molted skin. If you see anything suspicious, do not bring the package into your home. If you don’t see any parasites but suspect they may be in the package, you can try placing it in a sealed plastic bag and putting it in the freezer for a few days. This will kill any bugs that may be inside.
Step 2. Open it outdoors
If possible, have the package delivered to a location where you can open it outdoors, such as a porch or garage. This will help contain any bed bugs that may be inside.
Step 3. Open the package
If you bring the package into your home, open it in a room that can be easily cleaned, such as a bathroom or laundry room. When you’re ready to open the package, do so over a hard surface like a table or counter. This way, if bed bugs are inside, they’ll fall onto the surface, not your floor or bed. Carefully open the package, being mindful of any parasites hiding inside.
Step 4. Remove any items
Immediately remove any items from the package harboring bed bugs, such as clothing or linens. These items should be laundered in hot water and dried on high heat.
Step 5. Clean and vacuum the area
Thoroughly clean and vacuum the area where the package was opened. If you think bed bugs may have gotten into other areas of your home, you can take steps to prevent them from spreading. Start by thoroughly cleaning your home, paying special attention to areas where parasites like to hide, such as cracks and crevices. You can also vacuum regularly and use special bed bug interceptors under your bed legs to trap any bugs trying to climb up.
Step 6. Seek professional help
Bed bugs are difficult to control and eliminate, and attempting to do so without professional help can worsen the problem. A pest control company will be able to properly identify the pests and develop a plan to safely and effectively eliminate them from your home or business.
By following these steps, you can help prevent bed bugs from hitchhiking into your home on packages. If you have any concerns about a package you’re expecting, contact the sender and arrange transportation to a location where it can be opened safely.
FAQ
I hope that this guide was useful to you. However, if you still have questions about bed bugs, you may find the answers below.
How long can bed bugs live in a package?
In fact, they can live for several months without eating at all! So, if a bed bug finds itself in a package shipped somewhere, it can survive the journey without any problem.
However, once the pest arrives at its destination, it will need to feed. If it can’t find a food source, it will die.
How long do bed bugs live in a sealed bag?
If the bag is airtight and the temperature is below freezing, bed bugs will die. However, if the bag is not airtight or the temperature is above freezing, bed bugs can survive for months.
Can bed bugs crawl out of vacuums?
The short answer is yes; they can. If you don’t empty the bag right away, the bed bugs can crawl back out and start infesting your home again.
Leave Nothing to Chance
Unfortunately, you have made sure how easy to spread bed bugs and how they’re good at it. These small, flat insects are excellent at hiding in small spaces. They can easily stow away in a box or envelope and travel to their next destination. But don’t despair! With these measures, you can reduce the likelihood of bed bugs entering your home through parcels.
Do you have any experience with “delivering” bedbugs in parcels? Have you heard about such cases from your acquaintances? Share in the comments so that we can verify the validity of the information.
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