If you’re like me, which I’m guessing I’m definitely not the only one, bugs are pretty low on the list of “favorite” things. While I can peacefully (sort of) coexist with most of them while I am outside, I am strictly anti-bug while in my home.
Spiders, wasps, and flies of any kind, among others, don’t have much of a chance if they wander into my house. Most of the time, I’m too freaked out by the creepy crawlies that I don’t even think to just let them outside.
To send my enemies to an early grave, I have a weapon of choice – a fly-swatter. When that is out of reach (or GASP! broken!), my backup is the trusty vacuum.
This brings to mind a very daunting question though. Can bugs crawl out of vacuums?
It is possible but very unlikely.
When Can Bugs Crawl Out of Vacuums?
Whether or not bugs can crawl out of vacuums greatly depends on the type of vacuum and the type of bug.
Most vacuums have flaps that close when the vacuum is not in use to keep the dust and dirt from leaving the canister or bag. Incidentally, this also keeps most bugs inside the vacuum.
If you are using a vacuum that does not have these flaps, the chances of a bug crawling back out of the vacuum greatly increases. This would also be dependent on the bug.
Bugs that are more fragile, such as spiders and moths, are more prone to getting damaged when they are sucked up into a vacuum. Losing legs or wings makes it pretty hard to crawl out of any enclosed space.
Bugs that are a bit more tough, such as cockroaches, may not have as hard of a time with the cyclone in most vacuums. Being thrown around in that whirlwind may not do as much damage to a cockroach as it would to a spider.
The inside of a vacuum also presents the possibility of dying of thirst or starvation for the bug. Even with all the debris inside the vacuum, the bug will lack food and water and, eventually, it will die.
How Can I Make Sure the Bug Doesn’t Escape the Vacuum?
If you are going to use a vacuum to suck those things up, make sure you empty the canister or put the vacuum bag into a plastic garbage bag. If the bugs haven’t starved inside the vacuum, putting them in a closed, plastic bag will do them in for sure.
Even better, use the roller brush on the bottom of the vacuum when you suck them up. If you are in a position to use it, the brush will injure the bug enough that it wouldn’t be able to survive in the vacuum.
Make sure that you suck up any webs or eggs that you can see as well. It won’t do you any good to suck up the bugs you can see if you don’t take care of their young as well. You’ll just end up with a lot more bugs when you’re done.
Some bugs, such as bedbugs or fleas, can easily survive the trip into the vacuum, and they may not need to eat for a long while. Their eggs could hatch inside the vacuum as well.
In those cases, putting the bag or contents of the canister into a bag and removing that bag from your home is your best bet.
If you have a problem with bed bugs or fleas, please don’t rely on vacuums alone to control the problem. Please call an outside exterminator to take care of the problem.
Final Thoughts
Though it’s unlikely that a bug will make its way out of the vacuum after it has been sucked up, it’s probably in your best interest to get rid of it before it becomes a problem. Be sure to remove it from your home, especially if you are dealing with hardy bugs like cockroaches, fleas, or bed bugs.
While bugs play their part outside of your home, having them inside your home is not necessary and could cause issues with health. Using a vacuum may not be ideal, but it can be a useful solution.
I have two Associate’s degrees, one in Medical Assisting and the other in Computer Technician, and I am roughly five classes from a bachelor’s degree. Though I never ended up working in the medical field, I have five and a half years of experience in IT. I recently became a stay-at-home mom to my two young boys, and I’m so excited to start this adventure with them! In my spare time, I love to bake and read pretty much anything I can get my hands on.