In densely clustered housing such as in an apartment building, spread can occur quickly from one home to another. Within a year, bed bug infestations can grow from a few bugs to thousands. According to U.K. bed bug expert Clive Boase, a bed bug infestation that is left untreated will spread at the rate of about one room every seven weeks through the walls, electrical wiring, and plumbing. This spread is often to adjacent units, across the hall, and above and below the infested unit. Stephen Doggett has found that the most severe infestations, with several thousand bugs, will invariably lead to infestations in adjacent units. Doggett’s study of a nursing staff dormitory in 2004 showed that bed bugs spread not only from one unit to the next, but also to units all around the building. This could be a result of social networks and improper cleaning procedures. Doggett’s study also shows that bugs bypass some units.
This is likely due to limited access to the units or factors affecting access to the unit such as proper sealing around pipes and plumbing, and the filling of cracks.
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