Once your home is infested with bed bugs, getting rid of them seems downright impossible. You try a few over-the-counter kits and DIY hacks, but nothing seems to be completely effective for comprehensive bed bug removal.
As many soon find out, bed bugs are one of the most difficult pests to remove. All they need is a bit of human blood for nourishment. In fact, they can survive by feeding on our blood every few months or even once a year. Once in your home, they multiply quickly and live in clutter and crevices. You’ll likely spot them in clusters, unless you’re bit first. Unfortunately, you can pick up bed bugs from a number of sources. From hotels, second-hand furniture, schools and movie theaters to name a few. So you don’t find yourself in this situation, what can you do to protect your home from a bed bug infestation?
Mitigate Bed Bugs By Avoiding Random Furniture
Although you may get a good deal, secondhand furniture may harbor bed bugs – especially if you pick it up curbside. To avoid inviting these pests into your home:
- Always thoroughly check any piece of furniture you plan to take home, down to the seams. Better yet, have an exterminator take a look at it before you bring it inside your house.
- Use protective covers, preferably in a light color. Should you end up having an infestation, the material and coating make pests easy to spot.
- Regularly check the cover for holes and signs of damage.
Clean Homes Reduce Bed Bug Risks
Clutter makes a nice place for bedbugs to spread. As such, be mindful of the following points:
- Reduce messes and disorganized storage spaces. Several items bundled together or stored on top of each other turns into a perfect hiding spot.
- Always vacuum your carpets, rugs and drapes to get rid of any stray bed bugs.
- Where and how do you do your laundry? If you go to a laundromat or other shared laundry space, transport everything in a plastic bag, have a separate, clean plastic bag for when you go home, and never fold your clothes in the public space. Instead, remove everything from the dryer, bag it and fold it at home.
- If you live in a multi-family home, understand that another person’s bedbug problem may soon become your own. As a preventative measure, add door sweeps and seal all cracks and crevices, especially around baseboards and light sockets.
Bed Bug Warning Signs While Traveling
You travel for vacation or business and stay at a hotel, where you leave your suitcase open. Bed bugs crawl inside and you end up bringing them home with you. Also common, you wake up in the hotel with bite marks on your body. So a trip doesn’t quickly turn into a nightmare, be aware of the following:
- The hotel mattress: Always do an inspection of the mattress, box spring, sheets and headboard upon your arrival. Even if you can’t see the bugs directly, small brown spots indicate they’ve been there.
- Never leave your bag open on the floor or mattress.
- When you return home, wash your clothing once you arrive, ideally on hot wash and dry cycles.
- Disinfect your suitcase just in case and keep it stored away in a sealed garbage bag.
Even those who take precautions may accidentally pick up bed bugs. The quicker you act, the less the bed bug infestation spreads throughout your home. If you’ve found yourself in this situation, reach out to Eliminate ‘Em’s pest control experts for same-day bed bug removal. To make an appointment, call us today at 1-866-802-7378.
