Passive dispersal mechanism for bed bugs includes which of the following?

• A. Sharing used furniture
• B. Sitting on infested furniture
• C. Travel
• D. Purchasing new furniture

Answer: (A)

Bed bugs spread mainly by hitchhiking on objects and people, rather than moving on their own. The most classic passive dispersal is when used furniture is shared or moved between locations. These pests hide in tiny cracks and seams in couches, chairs, and other furniture, and can travel unnoticed to a new home when that furniture is transferred. Once the item arrives, bed bugs can spread to new hiding spots and establish an infestation.

Travel can also carry bed bugs if luggage or clothing picks them up, and buying new furniture can introduce them if the new item is infested, but the scenario that best illustrates a typical passive dispersal route is sharing used furniture, since it involves a movable item that readily carries pests between households.