Bed bugs are a significant problem for many households. While bed bug concerns are quite common in hotels and public places, private houses are not exempt from infestations. Once these oval-shaped, small insects enter your home, you will have difficulty exterminating them.
Numerous sites inside your house offer ideal breeding conditions to bed bugs, given that they thrive in a temperate, safe environment. Any place in your home that provides the optimal temperature and humidity can be a hiding spot for bed bugs.
These wingless, reddish-brown insects like to hide in narrow places, such as cracks and crevices, making them virtually elusive. They can easily find their way into your bed, just as their name suggests.
Our Top 5 Tips for Keeping Bed Bugs Out of Your Home
Even if you take precautionary measures to keep bed bugs out of your house, these parasitic insects may find a way to get in. However, if you have a good understanding of where bed bugs congregate and how they’re transported, you can avoid them entering your home.
Luckily, a bed bug infestation can be prevented. By following these five prevention tips, you can keep your home free of bed bugs.
1. Use Vacuum-Sealed Bags or Protective Covers for Your Mattresses and Clothing
Store your belongings and seasonal clothing in vacuum-sealed bags when traveling. This will prevent pests from getting access to them and being transferred to your home with you.
After placing your clothing into these airtight bags, remove the air with a vacuum cleaner for future use. That will keep bed bugs out of your items such as blankets and sweaters.
Protective plastic covers are also helpful when it comes to bug infections. They provide better protection than standard mattress covers and bedsheets. These protective covers can help you encase your box springs, mattress, and other belongings, thereby preventing bed bugs from getting into your bed.
If you’ve already brought them home with you, the clear covers will help you notice them easily. Wash your clothing and dispose of infested mattresses immediately to avoid future problems.
2. Vacuum Your Rugs and Carpets Often
In addition to the bed, bed bugs may also shelter in carpets. That’s why you should thoroughly and regularly vacuum your carpet at least once a week. You will need to vacuum every day if you have already come in contact with bed bugs until you are sure there’s no bugs in your home.
Be sure to vacuum box springs, mattresses, and floors. Pay particular attention to the areas where the walls and floors meet. This can help prevent bed bug infestation from getting out of control.
Once you are done with cleaning, remove the vacuum bag and carefully dispose of the contents in a plastic trash bag (preferably a sealed one). Get rid of the bag as soon as possible to keep bed bugs away from your home. Otherwise, they can easily escape and find their way back into the house.
3. Keep Your Home Clutter-Free
Get the clutter out! Aside from making you feel good about your life, this will help prevent pests (including bed bugs) from invading your home. Clutter is a perfect hiding spot for bed bugs to conceal themselves from the view of householders. This can make it more difficult for you to notice a bug infestation in your home.
Kick your clutter habit and minimize these places by decluttering your home. Make sure your belongings are properly stored and well-organized. Eliminate clutter against your walls since bed bugs tend to hide in these areas.
Unpack your boxes immediately after moving, as cardboard is very attractive to bed bugs. Consider replacing cardboard storage boxes with plastic ones. Dispose of, donate, or recycle items you don’t need anymore to prevent them from becoming a paradise for bugs.
4. Check Second-Hand Furniture and Used Items for Bed Bugs Before Buying
If you want to save money when furnishing your home, buying second-hand furniture and used items is an excellent way to do so.
However, keep in mind that it can increase the risk of a bed bug infection. That being said, be sure to inspect the second-hand furniture when shopping at thrift stores or picking up something on the cheap.
As for the furniture, take a closer look at upholstery seams to ensure that there are no signs of bed bugs. Avoid purchasing second-hand mattresses because they are particularly popular with bed bugs.
Even though the used furniture may look perfectly clean, it is always a good idea to examine it closely and give it a good clean before crossing the doorstep.
5. Always Inspect Hotel Rooms When Traveling
It comes as no surprise that travelers are at risk of picking up bed bugs from hotel rooms and bringing them home. For that reason, you should always inspect hotel rooms before unpacking.
Focus on the hotel room bedding, carpeting, nightstand, curtains, and upholstered furniture. When it comes to mattresses, scan around the headboard and near the corners. Raise the mattresses and furniture to check underneath. Examine your luggage and pull back the sheets as well.
Apart from the bugs, you need to look for egg casings as well as red blood and dark brown spots. If you notice any sign of bed bugs, notify the front desk or hotel management and ask for another room.
Get Your Free Bed Bug Removal Consultation Today!
As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. The same goes for bed bugs. Do not risk your peace of mind and safety. Once the bed bugs get into your home, you will have a hard time eradicating them. That’s because there is always a risk of re-infestations if the bugs aren’t eliminated thoroughly and completely the first time.
The above-mentioned tips can considerably reduce the risk of bed bug infestations in Las Vegas. However, sometimes these preventive tips are not enough. If your home is already infested with bed bugs, contact pest professionals today!