Bed bugs are tiny pests that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They can travel between floors in multi-unit buildings, such as apartments, condominiums, and hotels. Bed bugs do not fly, but they can move quickly over floors, walls, and ceilings.
Adult bed bugs have flat rusty reddish-brown oval bodies. A bed bug’s body is about the size and shape of an apple seed. Young bed bugs (called nymphs) are nearly transparent in color and become browner as they mature. Nymphs are no bigger than a pinhead. Bed bugs may be small and sneaky, but there are plenty of ways to keep beg bugs from spreading. Here are a few tips from the pest control experts:
Check the house before you move in
When you move into a new house, check for signs of bed bugs such as black fecal spots on mattresses and sheets or small red dots (blood stains). Of course, this isn’t always possible if the house isn’t empty yet, but if it is, do a thorough inspection before moving in.
Keep belongings off the floor
Don’t leave clothing or other items on the floor of your hotel room. Bed bugs can hide in fabric and crawl onto your stuff from there. If you must put things on the floor, store them in clear plastic bags so you can check for bed bugs before you take the items home with you. Put your suitcase and other things on a luggage stand instead of putting them directly on the floor next to the bed. Bed bugs can still crawl up the stand and bed frames, but it’s more challenging than crawling across a flat surface.
Inspect all furniture
Some people think they can go to the thrift store, get a piece of furniture, bring it home, and pop it into their dining room, living room, or bedroom. But you can’t do that without risking an infestation. It would be best if you inspected it first. If you’re buying used furniture, ask for permission to inspect the item first. Check on seams, zippers, and cracks for bed bugs or eggs signs. Don’t buy if the seller refuses to let you inspect the item.
Remove clutter from your house or apartment
Bed bugs can hide in any nook and cranny, but they love clutter. Don’t bring anything you don’t need into your home, and get rid of anything you don’t use. The less clutter you have, the fewer places bed bugs have to hide. Start by throwing away anything that you can live without and then organize what’s left, so it’s simpler to access later on when you do an inspection.
Use protective covers on mattresses and box springs
If you suspect bed bugs in your home, you can use protective covers as a preventative measure. This will help prevent bed bugs from entering or exiting these items. Most mattress encasements are made of polyester and have a zipper closure. You can purchase them at online retailers or brick-and-mortar stores that deal with bedding.
Put a plastic cover over your luggage when you travel
You’re more likely to bring bed bugs home if you’re staying in a hotel or hostel, but they can hitch a ride in your suitcase even if you’re sleeping on someone’s couch. A plastic cover will provide an extra layer of protection against bedbugs crawling into your luggage. Still, the most important thing is to inspect your room and luggage for signs of bedbugs before unpacking.
Inspect hotel rooms thoroughly
Just because a hotel is high-end doesn’t mean it is free from bed bugs. In fact, the higher-end a hotel is, the more people are in and out of it, so their chances to transfer in are greater.
You can avoid bed bugs by inspecting your room thoroughly before you unpack. Check the mattress seams for any signs of bed bugs, and examine the headboard as well. If you see any sign of bedbugs, report it to management and ask for a different room.
The bottom line
The most significant bed bug transfer happens during the whole process of handling stuff daily. It doesn’t take long for bugs to make their way from one place to another. They tend to crawl into people’s belongings when stored or used in an infested environment. It is very common to put clothes from an infested house into the car and then drive to work. Since you can’t predict what might happen, try to reduce your risk of bed bug infestation by following these tips.
Goodwin Environmental Treatment provides a full-service large infestation exterminating program. Our treatments come included with our preventive measures. To ensure you are bedbug-free, call us today!
