Bed Bugs: the Cause and the Solution

For decades – perhaps even centuries – it’s been common for children to hear the simple rhyme: “Good night, sleep tight. Don’t let the bedbugs bite!” It might have elicited a slight giggle from kids as they were tucked in for the night, but it was generally a harmless little saying.

My, how things have changed.

In today’s world, speaking of bedbugs is more likely to elicit shudders or grimaces from adults. Once these persistent little monsters find their way inside your home, they spread like wildfire. And because of their small size and resilience, they can be an incredible pain to get rid of.

How to avoid bedbugs

Just like with any other pest, the best way to prevent bedbugs is to keep a clean and tidy home. Vacuum carpets regularly, and always be sure to wash linens weekly. Bedbugs most often hitchhike to your home via bags or luggage. If you take public transportation, try to avoid setting laptop bags or purses on the floor or seats (especially if they have fabric on them). Bedbugs are also more likely to appear in apartments than homes.

Be vigilant while traveling

Numerous hotels deal with bedbug infestations, and are either unaware of the problem or don’t volunteer that information to their guests. Ask the front desk clerk during check-in if the hotel has had any bedbug problems in the past, and perform a thorough inspection of the room and bed before settling in. Also, keep your luggage off the floor: even if bedbugs aren’t on the bed, they can still be found on the carpeting.

Isolate any infestations immediately

If you do find bedbugs on a bed in your home, take immediate action to try to isolate the problem. Although bedbugs spread quickly, the infestation may only be in one portion of the house. Immediately wash linens and afflicted clothing in hot water, and dry them on high heat as well. You can use a vacuum to remove most of the bedbugs from your mattress and box spring; however, it is highly unlikely you can remove all of the bedbugs this way. It is recommended that you purchase an encasement for the mattress and box spring and enclose them within it – this will trap the remaining bedbugs and lead to their eventual starvation and death.

Contact a qualified pest control company

The safest and surest way to rid your home of bedbugs is to contact a professional pest control company. They have the expertise needed to handle the problem and keep bedbugs out of your house for good. Additionally, commercially available insecticides are ineffective against bedbugs, but pest control companies are trained in the use of special pesticides that can get the job done.