Bed Bugs Avoid Wet Surfaces, New Study Finds

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A new study from UC Riverside has found that bed bugs are extremely averse to water and wet surfaces. The researchers discovered this insight serendipitously when they observed bed bugs actively avoiding areas of their colony vials that had become wet with leaked blood from an artificial feeder. Further experiments confirmed that bed bugs, regardless of gender or age, will flee from wet areas much faster than they approach them.

Why it matters

This finding could have important implications for treating bed bug infestations, as bed bugs may avoid water-based insecticide sprays and disperse to other areas of an infested property. The researchers suggest that a simple solution for someone who suspects they have bed bugs on them is to take a bath, as the bugs will avoid the wet surfaces.

The details

The study, published in the Journal of Ethology, was led by UC Riverside entomology professor Dong-Hwan Choe. The researchers discovered the bed bugs' aversion to water when they noticed the insects avoiding areas of their colony vials that had become wet with leaked blood from an artificial feeder. Further experiments using a specialized infrared camera and video analysis software confirmed that all bed bugs, regardless of gender or age, will flee from wet surfaces much faster than they approach them. The researchers found that younger, smaller bed bugs are even more sensitive to water and dampness, making faster U-turns when approaching wet areas.

• The study was published on February 20, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Companies may want to pay close attention to bed bugs' aversion to water when developing and testing water-based insecticide sprays, as the bugs may avoid the treated areas and disperse elsewhere.