Bed Bugs on TTC Line 1: What Toronto Riders Need To Know

In early August, a shocking video surfaced online that’s left many Toronto commuters feeling itchy and alarmed. The footage, taken by a Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) passenger, clearly shows bed bugs crawling on a seat inside a Line 1 (Yonge-University) subway train. Within hours, the video went viral on platforms like TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and Instagram.

As a leading bed bug control specialist in Toronto, we’re here to break down what happened, what it means, and most importantly, what you can do to protect yourself, and your home from a potential bed bug infestation when riding public transportation.

What the Video Shows: Bed Bugs on the TTC Line 1

@nowtoronto A video of a bed bug crawling on a #TTC subway seat has residents disgusted online, and urging the #transit service to change their seats to plastic. #Toronto ♬ original sound – Now Toronto

The now-viral video shows one visible bed bug crawling across the fabric of a TTC subway seat. The insect is clearly identifiable by its flat, oval body, and reddish-brown colour which are key characteristics of this pesky critter.

In the video the bug appear alive and quite active, and the video’s clarity leaves little doubt about what’s crawling on the seat. The footage triggered an avalanche of comments from concerned Toronto and GTA commuters, many of whom now say they refuse to sit on subway seats, citing hygiene and pest concerns.

Public Reaction: Widespread Concern Across Toronto

The incident has ignited a wave of concern throughout the city. “This is my worst nightmare,” one rider wrote on Reddit. Another Reddit user suggested his own pest control idea, which was both misleading and potentially ineffective: “Was this reported to the TTC? They need to heat treat that ASAP.” While well-intentioned, such comments often oversimplify complex pest control issues and may spread misinformation about treating bed bugs. On TikTok, users offered various suggestions, from bringing personal seat covers or disinfectant spray to standing for the entire ride to avoid contact with the seats.

But this isn’t just online paranoia, Bed bugs are highly mobile, and resilient pests. Public transportation provides ideal conditions for their spread, especially when infestations go unreported or untreated.

How Did TTC Respond?

The TTC acknowledged the video, stating that they were investigating the claim and would clean and inspect the subway train in question. According to their spokesperson, all TTC vehicles undergo daily cleaning and monthly deep cleans, with additional spot treatments as needed. The spokesperson also urged commuters to reporr such sightings on the SafeTTC app.

How To Protect Yourself In Public Transits

As a pest control company that has been serving Toronto for over 15 years, we have seen bed bug infestations in places many people assume are safe: movie theatres, offices, hotel lobbies, rideshares, taxis, and public transit. These types of public areas are extremely ideal for bed bugs. This is because it allows them to easily hitch a ride on clothing, backpacks, briefcases, and luggage. And once they hit your home or building, they reproduce quickly and are extremely hard to eradicate without professional intervention.

Bed bugs are tricky, but not unbeatable. Here are tips our entomologist recommends for you to avoid bringing them home from a TTC commute:

Before and During Your Commute:

• Avoid sitting on fabric subway or bus seats when possible.
• Keep your bags and purses on your lap, not on the seat or floor.
• Do a quick scan of the seat for visible signs: crawling insects, small black stains, droppings, or shed skins.
• Avoid having orange coloured bags, this makes it easier to spot bugs.

After You Get Home:

• Change your clothes.
• Inspect your belongings, especially seams and pockets (bed bugs love to hide in these spots).
• Avoid placing backpacks, purses, or shoes directly on beds, couches, or carpets.
• If you suspect of any bed bugs on your clothes, immediately put your clothes in the dryer on high heat for 30-45 minutes

Signs You May Have a Bed Bug Infestation

If you suspect that you may have come into contact with bed bugs, here are signs to watch for:

• Clusters of itchy bites, especially in lines or zig-zag patterns
• Blood spots on sheets or pillowcases
• Dark fecal stains on the mattress or box spring
• Molted skins or live bugs in seams, corners, or behind headboards

If you notice any of these, do not wait. The longer you delay, the worse the infestation can become.

What the TTC Bed Bug Incident Teaches Us

The viral TTC bed bug video isn’t just a viral moment, it’s a real reminder that bed bugs can show up anywhere, even in places we rely on daily. Public transit, shared seating, shared living spaces, and high-traffic areas are ideal environments for these pests to travel unnoticed from one person to another.

But this doesn’t have to lead to panic, it should lead to preparedness. The key to avoiding a costly infestation is early detection, expert guidance, and proven treatment.

If you’ve seen suspicious signs of a bed bug infestation, we’re here to help. Contact us today.