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The mere mention of bed bugs is enough to strike fear in the hearts of homeowners. The tiny bugs can leave a person with itchy bites and are experts at hiding. Bed bugs can be difficult to eradicate from the home, but there are ways to prevent them from entering in the first place. The first step to bed bug prevention is to identify where and when you may come in contact with bed bugs.
Clothing is an item where bed bugs can hide and travel from the store to the home. It is easy to imagine that secondhand clothing may contain bed bugs. However, new clothing can also contain bed bugs. People can transport bed bugs from their home on their clothing and then unknowingly transfer the bugs to the new clothes in the dressing room or simply by walking past the racks. In order to prevent bed bugs from the clothing store, pay attention to your items in the dressing room. Hang your purse and clothes on the hooks to prevent transfer from the floor to your own clothing. Another step in bed bug prevention is to immediately expose the clothing to heat when you take it into the home. Take the bag of clothing and place the items in the dryer and run it through a warm or hot cycle. The heat can kill the bed bugs that made it home with your new clothing. The clothes will not be wet when put through the dryer cycle so shrinking should not be a concern for clothing that would not normally go in the dryer. For an extra layer of prevention, you can wash the clothes that can handle more heat in hot water.
Hotel rooms can be a haven for bed bugs because of the number of people who come and go. It is important to check for any bites or unusual spots after a night in a hotel bed. Bed bug bites are red, small, and itchy. If you suspect that bed bugs were also a guest in your hotel room, you can take steps to prevent them from entering your home. Store your suitcase off the floor of the hotel room to keep bed bugs from crawling in and hitching a ride to your house. Put your dirty clothes in a plastic bag to keep them from lying on the floor. When you get home, expose the clothes to heat in the washing machine or dryer to kill any bed bugs that made it from the hotel room. If your suitcase or bag is small enough, you can throw it in the dryer as well and kill the rest of the lingering bugs.
Bed bug prevention is simple but despite your best efforts, it is still possible for them to make it into your home and bed. They can be difficult to get rid of on your own and you may need to take more drastic action such as structural fumigation. If you suspect an infestation, contact San Joaquin Pest Control for help determining the best course of action.
