8 Tips to Prevent or Control Bed Bugs

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If you’ve ever had the misfortune of dealing with bed bugs, then you know how frustrating and challenging it can be to get rid of them. Bed bugs are pesky little critters that divert from their normally harmless behavior to become a nuisance in your home or business. Not only do they spread quickly and multiply rapidly, but they also leave behind marks on clothing and furniture as well as bites on skin.

It’s important for homeowners and businesses alike to learn about how to identify signs of an infestation and adopt preventive measures so that an embarrassing encounter with these parasites is avoided altogether. In this post, we will provide tips on preventative methods as well as strategies for controlling bed bug populations if an infestation has already occurred. Keep reading if you’re looking for advice on getting rid of these pests.

Seal Cracks and Crevices

Your home can have an open invitation for bed bugs if you have any cracks or crevices in your walls, floors, and furniture that are bigger than a quarter of an inch. Make sure to use caulk or expandable spray foam to close off these areas around the baseboards and window frames where bed bugs often hide.

The same goes for furniture; make sure to inspect for any rips or tears in the fabric that could be letting bed bugs into your home. If you find any, use a heavy-duty fabric adhesive to close them up. You can also consider purchasing mattress and box spring covers that zip up tightly to keep bed bugs from entering or exiting the mattress.

Vacuum Regularly

Vacuuming is one of the best ways to prevent bed bug infestations as well as remove any existing ones. Make sure to vacuum carpets, rugs, furniture, mattresses, and other surfaces regularly to keep bed bugs at bay.

When you do vacuum, make sure to use a high-powered vacuum that can reach deep into furniture and bedding crevices. It’s also important to dispose of the vacuum bags in an outdoor trash container immediately after use, so that any bed bugs that were picked up don’t find their way back into your home. Remember to get rid of clutter, as too many items can give bed bugs more hiding places. You should also regularly wash and dry your bedding using the hottest temperature allowed for the fabric.

Use Hot Water to Wash and Dry Fabrics

Dirty fabrics can become a haven for bed bugs, so make sure to wash fabric items such as clothes, blankets, and other linens in hot water whenever possible. If you can’t use hot water, then opt for the highest heat setting available on the washing machine.

Then take the fabrics outside and dry them with the hottest setting on your dryer, or hang them on a clothesline in direct sunlight. The heat from the sun and the dryer will help kill any bed bugs that may be hiding in the fabrics. Avoid using cold water to wash your fabrics as this could result in bed bugs surviving the wash cycle. If you can’t use hot water, then make sure to follow up the cold wash with a high heat dry cycle.

Check for Bed Bugs When Traveling

Bed bugs are great hitchhikers and can easily be brought into your home from hotels and other places where you stay overnight or even during the day. Whenever possible, inspect hotel rooms or other places of lodging for bed bugs before you settle in.

Look closely around the headboard, mattress seams and stitching, behind pictures and wall hangings, under furniture, and in any cracks or crevices that can offer a hiding space for bed bugs. Your accommodation when traveling should also be bug-proofed, as bed bugs can still make it in through the tiniest of openings. If you feel that something is not right, consider using a mattress cover or bringing your own sheets to sleep on instead.

Seek Professional Assistance

Bed bugs can be extremely difficult to control especially if you don’t have the right tools or knowledge. If you think your home has become infested, it’s best to contact a professional pest control company that specializes in bed bug removal.

A qualified technician will be able to assess the situation and provide advice on how to get rid of them once and for all. There are different types of bugs in bed and identifying the right one can be challenging. A technician will be able to determine the type of bug and recommend the most suitable treatments for getting rid of them. They can even provide advice on how to prevent bed bugs from coming back in the future.

Use Protective Covers On Furniture

Bed bugs love to hide in furniture such as couches, chairs, and beds. To prevent them from taking up residence in your furniture, make sure to use protective covers on all the items. These covers should be made of thick, durable fabric that is tightly woven and can’t be penetrated by bed bugs. Make sure to inspect these covers regularly for any signs of bed bug activity and wash them in hot water when necessary. This will help keep your furniture safe from any potential infestations.

Avoid Second hand Furniture and Fabrics

Buying second hand furniture or fabrics can be an ideal way to save money, but it can also put you at risk of bringing bed bugs into your home. Bed bugs easily hide in the creases and folds of fabric items such as curtains and sheets, so avoid buying these types of items from second-hand stores.

The same goes for furniture, as you don’t know where the item has been and if it has had a previous infestation. If you must buy these types of items second-hand, make sure to inspect them closely before bringing them into your home.

Inspect Luggage Before Bringing It Inside

If you’ve been traveling, make sure to check all luggage and bags for bed bugs before bringing them into your home. Look closely in the seams, pockets, and other hard-to-reach areas where bed bugs may be hiding. If you find anything suspicious, take the necessary steps to eliminate them immediately.

You should also take the time to vacuum and clean your luggage before bringing it inside. The vacuum will help to remove any bed bugs that may have hitched a ride, as well as their eggs. When storing your luggage, keep it organized and away from the rest of your belongings and in an area that is easy to inspect regularly. This will help prevent any potential infestations.

Bed bugs can be a difficult problem to deal with, but following these steps can help you avoid and get rid of them. Taking the necessary precautions can save you a lot of stress and hassle in the long run. Always remember that prevention is key when it comes to bed bugs, so take the steps needed to protect your home from potential infestations. Be vigilant and take the steps needed to keep your home bed bug-free.