Tips to Keep Bed Bugs out of your Home this Summer
Summer travelling can mean inadvertently coming into contact with unwanted pests such as bedbugs. Where is that most likely to occur, you might ask? It may surprise you that places where many people come and go, are most likely to be where these exist. Therefore it’s no surprise that hotels and public transportation are among the most common places to come into contact with these pests.
It’s a myth that bed bugs only get found in dirty places! Since they feed on the blood of their hosts, they can live anywhere that people do – upscale or not! The good news is that you don’t have to forgo your travels this summer to avoid needing bed bug treatment in your home, be vigilant and follow these essential tips.
Be in the know
First, you need to know what a bed bug looks like and how to inspect a room for signs of them before you think about the need for bed bug removal. They are generally reddish-brown, although the colour could vary, with a flat oval body. An adult bug is about 1/5 of an inch long.
Know how to inspect a room for bugs
Before staying in a hotel room, inspect the room for signs of these pests before unpacking. Don’t place your luggage on the bed until you have done so. Use the suitcase holder if provided, or leave your luggage in the bathtub or hallway until you’ve had a chance to complete the room inspection.
Don’t only inspect surfaces; pull back the sheets, check for tiny blood spots and bugs, and look in the seams of the bedding and the box springs. Also, you need to closely inspect the crevices and seams of wood and any upholstered furniture.
Take extra precautions when arriving home
When arriving home from travels, it’s best to take extra precautions with your belongings to ensure that pests have not hitched a ride into your home. Clothes should be stored in plastic bags and placed in the washing machine on the highest setting that clothes can handle.
Undress on a hard surface floor instead of carpeting so that you can wipe the floor. Vacuum luggage and hand wash other items with hot, soapy water, or wipe the item down thoroughly.
Avoid bed bugs in public places
Other common areas for picking up these pests are public transportation vehicles or other high-traffic areas. Basically, if a large number of people are coming and going in one area, there’s a chance they are present. The more people, the greater the possibility of pest presence and the subsequent need for bed bug removal.
To protect yourself in these situations, keep your personal belongings close to you and off of the ground. Keep purses and backpacks on your lap, and avoid setting them down in public areas.
Inspect second-hand goods before purchasing
Finally, we all love garage sales, but these can be opportunities for bed bugs to move into your home if you are not careful. To avoid the need for bed bug treatment, check used furniture and clothing for bugs. You will need to wash any used clothing immediately at a high temperature. Furniture should always be inspected carefully and wiped down before bringing it home. As a rule, avoid used mattresses as this is a favourite dwelling place of these pests and difficult to inspect the inside. Many times, used mattresses require bed bug treatment.
If you have any additional questions or are looking to schedule a treatment for bed bugs, call the experts at Ecopest today at 1-866-269-2847.