One of the most annoying pests that anyone wants to deal with is bed bugs. These pesky creatures crawl out of their crevices at night to feed on human blood, causing the infamous bed bug bites. They are not always found in beds and can take refuge in any place that suits their temperature needs. Bed bug populations can easily grow out of control and pose serious issues for both home and business owners if they are not appropriately controlled.
Fortunately, there are steps people can do to prevent bed bugs.
Clean Up Any Mess
The most powerful step to avoid bed bugs is to declutter your home. A congested space provides additional hiding places for bed bugs, making detection and treatment incredibly challenging. Make sure there is no clutter against the walls, as these areas are great for bed bugs to hide. Get rid of excess stuff, replace cardboard boxes with plastic containers, and store your stuff properly to avoid a bed bug infestation.
Cover Outlets
Bed bugs love to hide in electrical outlets, so be sure to keep them covered. They also use these openings as an escape route to avoid different methods of extermination. Bed bugs can inhabit these outlets for long periods of time, leaving only when it is safe to move. They use the house’s wiring system to travel from one place to another, spreading the infestation on a much larger scale.
Vacuum Regularly
Vacuuming your entire home frequently is one of the simplest ways to get rid of bed bugs. Be sure to vacuum all mattresses, box springs, carpets, and floors to remove any infestation before it even starts.
To ensure additional prevention, after cleaning your home, remove the vacuum bag, put it in a sealed container, and throw it away in the garbage.
Watch What You Bring Home
Cardboard boxes, used books, and used furniture should all be thoroughly checked for bed bugs before being brought into your home for the first time. If they show signs of infestation, it’s a good idea to get rid of them as soon as you can.
Most delivery services use the same trucks to deliver new mattresses and to take away old ones; therefore, carefully inspect your new mattresses before you bring them home, and ask suppliers to deliver them in sealed packages.
Limit the Number of Hiding Places
Limiting the number of areas where bed bugs can hide is another helpful method. Be sure to repair or replace peeling wallpaper and fix loose electrical faceplates. Examine entry points and openings that provide access to the interior of the walls. Fill up gaps and cracks in furniture, wall, ceiling, door, and window frames. Never store items under your bed, as this invites bed bugs to congregate near your mattress.
Avoid Bed Bugs While Traveling
Visitors run the risk of transferring a bed bug infection from a hotel, motel, or dorm room into their own residences. Therefore, consider the following points while traveling and prevent these invasive insects from entering your home.
It is favorable to determine if your hotel room has signs of an infestation or not. Check mattresses, sheets, and bed skirts for tiny rust-colored stains. Also, inspect the carpet and drapes before moving into a room.
Since bed bugs can hide behind picture frames, artwork, and electrical panels, it’s best to unpack your bags in a luggage rack away from your bed and walls.
While traveling, make sure to pack your clothing in a vacuum-sealed container. This method makes your belongings less accessible to pests and prevents bed bugs from infiltrating your home.
Ask for Professional Help
Hiring an experienced, professional pest control company can help you eliminate bed bugs before the problem gets out of control. If you spot a bed bug, there will always be more lurking around, and exterminating them right away will save you costly treatment down the road. Vista Pest Control offers powerful, effective and eco-friendly pest control services that keep your home clean and safe by ensuring complete elimination of bed bugs.
