Learn About Bed Bugs & How To Prevent Them

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How Can I Prevent Bed Bugs?

The thing about bed bugs is that just the very thought of them is pretty overwhelming. They seemingly have no real ecological purpose except to feed off humans so you can’t rationalize their perpetual nuisance the way you might with other insects like bees or spiders. There are no real predictive behaviors that might allow you to feel in control of your risk of developing a bed bug infestation as there are for other pests like cockroaches or termites. They seem like just a costly, exhausting headache that might appear at any moment. And while it’s true that you can’t just not put branches up next to your house and know you’re covered the way you might with a termite problem, there are some preventative measures you can take to help lessen your chances of getting a bed bug infestation and if you already have bed bugs, to help prevent them making a meal out of you.

Prevention Equals Vigilance

Unlike other pests who come into your home looking for food but primarily live outside, the bed bug only wants to live near its next meal so it will never be far from humans and human activity. Bed bugs are opportunists that will come into your home as stowaways on luggage, furniture, bedding, clothing and moving boxes. They can also come into your home through the walls of an adjacent apartment or other dwelling. Sometimes bat bugs or bird bugs are mistaken for bed bugs. These bugs may come into your home through animals bringing them in from outside like birds or other pets. 

Because bed bugs come into your house through contact with them in another location it is important to make sure that you do a thorough inspection of any hotel room you stay in. Never leave your luggage on the floor or bed of a hotel and always place it on a luggage rack after doing a thorough check of the rack itself.

Check the places where bed bugs hide:

• Bedrooms
• Where people watch TV and might nap, like couches, lounge chairs, etc.
• Check the crevices and seams of any luggage, backpacks, purses you have brought with you on a trip
• Used furniture
• Check all your bedding and furniture after hosting any visitors or family in your home
• Backpacks of health aide workers and children coming home from school

If you have checked and treated all these places, check with your neighbors to make sure they aren’t coming through shared apartment or condominium walls. If your building has a laundry room, check to make sure bed bugs aren’t hitching a ride on your laundry basket.

Other Ways To Prevent Bed Bugs

• Vacuum frequently to catch any stray bed bugs
• Reduce clutter around your home to reduce the amount of hiding places bed bugs may hide
• If you use shared laundry facilities, always transport your laundry in disposable or washable bags. Remove clothes directly from the dryer and fold at home The heat from the dryer can kill bed bugs, so if you have or suspect you may have an infestation, use a different bag to bring your clothes home
• Reduce your chances of getting bed bugs in an apartment, condominium or shared family home by installing door sweeps and sealing cracks and crevices around baseboards, light sockets and ceiling fans to impede movement through walls

Always Call A Pest Control Expert

Your best course of action when dealing with bed bugs is to call a reputable pest control expert at the first sign of an infestation. Call Pest Control Experts today to set up an inspection today. Our knowledgable and friendly professionals can help you with any and all bed bug concerns and issues and will even give you a free quote over the phone!