Bed bugs are becoming increasingly common and if you are not careful, they can easily enter your home. But do not fret, below we discuss some bed bug prevention tips that will help keep these pests at bay. It is important to be proactive about bed bug prevention, as they can be very difficult to get rid of once they establish themselves in your home.
What Are Bed Bugs and Why Are They Becoming More Common?
Bed bugs are small, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They are reddish-brown in color and have flat, oval-shaped bodies. Bed bugs are most active at night and they typically bite people while they are sleeping. They are most commonly found in bedding, furniture and other areas where people sleep or sit. While bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases, their bites can be itchy and uncomfortable. In some cases, bed bug bites can cause allergic reactions that may require medical attention.
Bed bug prevention is becoming a common issue because they are getting increasingly resistant to pesticides. They can also spread easily from one place to another, making them difficult to control. They can hitch a ride on clothing, luggage or furniture and can even be brought into your home on used items such as bedding, couches or that cute shirt you just bought. Bed bug prevention can be very tricky to handle if you don’t know what to expect.
How Do Bed Bugs Enter Your Home and What Are the Signs That You Have Them?
As mentioned above, bed bugs can enter your home in a number of ways. They can be carried in on bedding, clothing, furniture or other items that have been in contact with an infested area. They can also be brought into your home by pets. Signs that you may have bed bugs include bites on the skin, blood stains on bedding or furniture and small brown spots on bedding or walls.
Prevention Tips to Keep Bed Bugs from Entering Your Home
There are a number of things you can do to prevent bedbugs from entering your home. Some of the most important include:
Inspect Your Home and Furnishings
Inspect your home, bedding, furniture and other items for bed bugs before bringing them into your home. Pay close attention to cracks and crevices where they like to hide.
Inspect Second-Hand Purchases
Inspect second hand furniture, bedding and clothing before bringing it into your home.
Keep Your Home Free of Dust and Clutter
Keep bedding, furniture and other items clean and free of dust and clutter. Bed bugs thrive in cluttered environments.
Use a Bed Bug-Proof Mattress Cover
Use a bed bug-proof mattress cover and wash your bedding regularly in hot water.
Use Pesticides
Treat bedding, furniture and other items with pesticides.
Vacuum Regularly
Vacuum regularly to remove any bed bugs that may have made their way into your abode, as well as eggs and larvae which can be difficult to spot. Make sure to vacuum all cracks and crevices as bed bugs love to hide in these small spaces. Ensure you empty the vacuum bag after each use.
Be Vigilant When Traveling
If you stay in hotels, make sure to inspect the bedding and furniture for signs of bed bugs. When returning home from a trip, carefully inspect your luggage and clothes for the little critters before bringing them into your house.
What Should You Do If You Already Have Bed Bugs in Your home?
If you already have bed bugs in your home, it is important to take steps to get rid of them. You can do this by:
- Inspecting bedding, furniture and other items for bed bugs and removing them.
- Treating bedding, furniture and other items with pesticides.
- Vacuuming regularly to remove bed bugs and their eggs from your home.
- Contact a professional pest control company if you suspect you have bed bugs in your home.
By following these bed bug prevention tips, you can help keep these pests out of your home. If you think you may already have bed bugs, it is important to take action right away to get rid of them.
It can be difficult to identify, diagnose and treat a bed bug infestation on your own, especially if the pests have already set up camp in your home. If you have resident bed bugs and are having trouble eliminating them, employing a bed bug control expert is the best solution.
Prevent Pest Control Bed Bug Prevention
Prevent Pest Control has a staff of trained exterminators that know how to get rid of bed bugs in the most effective and safe manner possible. To book an appointment, call (440) 322-0887 or go to our website now.
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