Don’t Let The Bed Bugs Bite: 3 Keys to Preventing Bedbugs
It’s true: Bed bug infestations are on the rise, making them one of the top pests to watch out for in the 21st century. Unfortunately, the past few years have seen an increase in the amount of bed bug infestations, making these annoying pests a top concern once again.
How Can You Get Bed Bugs?
Although bed bugs can be spread a number of different ways, the most common way they’re spread is by direct contact. Bed bugs can easily be transferred from one place to another by coming into contact with any area that’s currently infested, which includes things like clothes, bedding and furniture. Public transportation is a common form of transmission, mainly because there tends to be lots of close contact as well as a large number of people using this form of transportation.
Three Keys to Preventing Bedbugs
Bed bugs can’t magically spread from one place to another, so instead they hitch a ride to their next place of infestation. The following are three things that can help you avoid getting bed bugs:
1. Use a protective mattress cover for both the mattress and the box spring. This helps prevent the bed bugs from ever getting into your mattress in the first place. If you already think you might have them, the light color of the cover will help you to see them better.
2. Reduce any clutter in your home. Too much clutter makes it easy for the bed bugs to find a place to hide. The less clutter, the quicker the extermination process is likely to be. And if you’re like most people, you’ll want these pests gone ASAP.
3. If you think you may have been exposed to bedbugs, carefully check yourself, your clothing and any accessories you have with you before entering your home. Look closely at the seams and folds. Bed bugs are very tiny, with some being translucent making them especially hard to see, so you’ll need to look very carefully. Using a magnifying glass may seem over the top, but is certainly better than the alternative.
Did You Know?
Even though bed bugs are mainly found living in beds, you can also find them in other, less obvious places. This makes it essential that you look in other places if you think you might have a bed bug infestation, i.e. couches. Since bed bugs tend to also like places that are especially warm and lack ventilation, be sure to look closely in these areas, which include things such as light sockets and air conditioners. It’s a good idea to have a professional pest specialist manage your bedbug problem before it becomes even more serious and difficult to address.
Contributed by Shaun Peterson, Pink Inspection Services.
