If there’s one pest that homeowners face that causes them to instantly cringe, its bed bugs. These pests represent a significant problem for households throughout the country. Bed bugs thrive in safe, room-temperature environments. The more comfortable and dark the environment, the better their breeding conditions.
The good news is there are ways to prevent bed bugs from invading the home. However, this requires a deep understanding of these pests and their behavior. That’s why we put together a breakdown of everything you need to know to make sure bed bugs don't find their way into your Farmington home.
Signs You Have A Bed Bug Infestation
Firstly, it's important to understand the signs of an infestation so that you can take the necessary steps to eliminate these unwanted pests. If you don’t know what to look for, you can’t defend your home or yourself. Bed bugs affect the environment where they live and the people that provide them with sustenance. If you experience the following symptoms or notice the following signs, it's time to reach out to a professional for help.
- Red itchy bites: Bed bugs bite. These bites leave behind red marks that itch a lot. Look for flat red welts that appear in zigzag lines or small clusters. These bites may not spread disease, but they itch. Scratching these welts can lead to bleeding and possible infection.
- Bite location: While the welts look similar to other insect bites, the location helps further identify the culprit. Bedbugs tend to bite on the arms and shoulders as opposed to the ankles like other biting insects. If you're noticing bites, check the location, and contact a professional to help you identify their source.
- The bed: Bed bugs like to hide in the beds. There are crevices and wrinkles between the sheets and mattresses that make perfect hiding spots. Plus, you sleep there providing them with a reliable food source. Lift your mattress and box spring; look in the seams for bed bugs, rust spots, and shed skin.
- Odor: If your room or home smells like a wet, mildewed towel, it could be an indicator that you have a bed bug infestation. The stronger the smell, the greater the potential infestation. If you detect an unpleasant odor, check your bed and upholstered furniture for bed bug activity.
How To Prevent Bed Bugs
Preventing bed bugs can be particularly challenging. Ideally, you would avoid a bed bug infestation altogether. There are some steps you can take to prevent infestation, but be aware that despite your best efforts, these bugs may find their way into your home.
- Inspect secondhand items: Anything that isn’t brand new is an automatic suspect when it comes to bed bugs. Check used furniture, clothing, baggage, or other upholstered items thoroughly before purchasing and bringing them home.
- Consider protective covers: Bed bugs love to hide. If you cover the mattresses and box springs in a protective cover, this eliminates most of their hiding spots. Plus, the light color makes bed bug activity easier to spot, which is always helpful when inspecting for pests.
- Keep things clean: Do away with any clutter in the house. Also, it’s important to vacuum regularly and perform other cleaning tasks. Though bed bugs may still hitchhike into your home, keeping a clean space always helps with pest prevention.
- Consider public concerns: Many households use public laundry facilities. Be mindful of others and keep your belongings in plastic bags during transport. Bed bugs may also be present in other public settings such as transportation, movie theaters, schools, hotels, or even hospitals. After visiting a space that is potentially infested with bed bugs, wash your belongings in hot water.
What To Do Upon Discovering Bed Bugs
Discovering bed bugs in the house can induce a sense of panic due to the stigma surrounding this pest. However, the key is to avoid panicking and sticking to the following tips to ensure your bed bug problem is taken care of quickly.
- Remove bed bugs: Begin the removal process immediately. Though you can try DIY methods like over the counter chemicals or washing your belongings in hot water, this will not destroy the entire infestation. In fact, when threatened, bed bugs will go into hiding for months at a time only to resurface in greater numbers.
- Extreme laundry: This pest can’t handle high heat. By washing your clothes and bedding in hot water followed by high heat cycles in the dryer, you can kill the bed bugs no matter what stage in the life cycle they’re in.
- Install encasements: Encasements eliminate their environment. Plus, they ensure your freshly laundered sheets and bedding aren’t re-infected. Make sure to choose encasements specifically designed for bed bug concerns.
- Maintain regular habits: You’ll be tempted to change sleeping locations. Don’t do it. This will encourage bed bugs to travel to new rooms with you. Containment is the key, so make sure to stay in the same room so all bed bugs can be accounted for.
While there are things you can do on your own, the complete elimination of this pest should be left in the hands of trained professionals. At American Pest Solutions, we work to deliver long-lasting results our customers can count on no matter what type of pest invades their home.
Are you in need of bed bug prevention services? Then give us a call to speak with one of our agents about our professional pest control options or fill out our online form to schedule your free quote.