Bed bugs are horrifying pests. Once in the home, they will bite you in your sleep, giving you itchy sores and causing you stress. Like a curse, they seem to appear out of nowhere. So, how does one prevent an infestation? And how do you keep them under control?
Bed bugs are unlike most pests in that they travel via human beings. They go from one place to the next by clinging to our clothing and furniture. Remember this when going to places where you sleep or sit still for extended periods. Be wary of bed bugs in used items and shared spaces.
The following lists where bed bugs usually come from. If you have any questions, reach out to Brampton exterminators or another pest control professional.
Hotels and BNBs
Hotels and BNBs are prone to getting bed bugs due to all the travelers that come and go. People bring bed bugs with them in their luggage, then the bed bugs get into the hotel beds and into other people’s belongings. Hotels usually have regular checkups and get preventative treatments, but the risk is always there.
Used Furniture
Some people sell or throw out their furniture when faced with an infestation. Bed bugs are great at hiding in the seams of upholstered furniture, such as couches and chairs. They can also squeeze in between the grooves of wooden pieces, like night tables. One can easily get bed bugs from buying a piece of furniture they did not realise was infested.
Laundromats
Laundry services are also prone to getting bed bugs. People bring their infested sheets and clothes, which let the bed bugs spread into the building and hop onto other people’s clothes. Be careful when using these services and don’t leave your laundry unattended. Wash your clothing in hot water, dry, then bag everything up as soon as you are done. Fold your laundry at home.
Movie Theatres
Movie theatres might also have bed bugs because they are dark and furnished and people sit in them for long periods of time. Bed bugs that were accidentally brough into the theatre spread into the seats and bite their victims while they watch movies.
Lecture Halls & Public Libraries
University dorms, lecture halls, and public libraries will sometimes get bed bugs because of the amount of the amount of traffic they get. People come and go and sit still for hours at a time. Watch out for bed bugs anywhere you sit for extended periods.
Next-door Neighbours
High rises are susceptible to bed bugs and other pests simply because of their density. Though bed bugs do not travel very far by themselves, they can crawl through walls and end up in neighboring units. If your neighbor’s bedroom is infested, bed bugs might end up in your room as well.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs and Prevent Them
If you are ever faced with a bed bug problem, don’t worry. You can get rid of them with the help of an exterminator. The key is to eliminate them as soon as possible, then take preventative measures so this never happens again.
Act Fast
Bed bugs will not go away on their own. Contact a pest control company as soon as you suspect that there are bugs on your property. A technician will inspect the area and treat the problem with a combination of pesticides and steam treatments. This will eliminate the bugs at every stage of the lifecycle. Don’t wait!
Use a Mattress Protector
Mattress protectors trap bed bugs that you might have missed and prevent more from getting inside your mattress. Purchase a high-quality cover from your local exterminator and use it to help avoid another infestation. Bed bugs can infest other parts of the bedroom, but this will keep your mattress safe.
Inspect Luggage and Used Furniture
Check your luggage very carefully after each trip. Do not place your suitcase onto your bed when you get home. Check all your belongings carefully before putting them away.
Wash Laundry on Hot
Bed bugs will not survive a hot wash in the machine. Wash your bedding in hot water and dry them at the hottest allowable temperature to eliminate bed bugs. This is important when treating a bed bug problem. Wash everything and set them aside in sealed plastic bags until the bed bugs are gone.
