Are Bed Bugs Common In Bakersfield, CA?

When you live in a place like Bakersfield, you have to adapt to certain things. The fog, for instance. During this time of year, there are many foggy nights where you definitely don’t want to be on the road. Or certain pest problems. Thanks to the arid nature of California’s Central Valley, there are many rodents, ants and cockroaches throughout the area. If you keep your kitchen clean and your window and door seals tight, you can largely avoid those critters. But what about bed bugs?

These parasites are actually a little trickier to keep out, especially during the wintertime. We’ll discuss that in a moment. But to answer the question in the headline, bed bug problems are no more common here than anywhere else.

So we’re safe then?

Not so fast. Unfortunately, everybody in the country should always be on the lookout for bed bugs, because they can infect any home. Unlike most pests, which chase after your leftovers and trash, bed bugs feed on blood. Therefore, they can survive anywhere that humans live. Including your bed.

Gross. How can I keep them out?

Bed bugs are often transferred via personal belongings. Someone with bed bugs at home will go out with a purse or jacket that’s carrying bed bugs. The person sets that purse down on the floor next to your purse and suddenly you’ve just been exposed. A bed bug can hop onto your purse and come home with you, and now you’ve got a bed bug infestation.

Therefore, whenever you’re in a high traffic area, always keep a close eye on personal belongings. Don’t set them down on the floor or common seating areas. And remember what I said about the wintertime? Well, since everyone is wearing heavy winter coats, there are plenty of opportunities for bed bugs to get transferred. So keep your coat closeby and watch where you put it down.