.webp){kind=logo}
The holidays are a favorite time of year for so many people, and it’s easy to understand why. It’s the best time to spend with your friends or family, even if they live far away from you. But, as with most things, there are still concerns related to traveling. For instance, sometimes people come back with a little cold or flu, especially if you were trapped inside an airplane for several hours. And some folks come back with something worse than a little flu bug – actual bugs.
You see, hotels are one of the most common places to pick up bed bugs. This is as true for the random, casual traveler as it is for international NBA superstars. If you’re not careful, truly anyone can encounter bed bugs as a result of traveling. Here’s how to determine if you brought bed bugs home with you:
Did You Experience Bites?
This is usually how people discover bed bugs. If you woke up covered in small, itchy red bites, then you almost certainly have bed bugs. It’s time to start stripping the linens from the bed and inspecting furniture for signs of critters.
Know What Else to Look For
Sometimes we’re lucky enough to avoid bites when bed bugs appear, although this is unlikely. But if you’re looking for additional bed bug indicators, start with the bedding: search the linens, pillows, mattress, box spring, headboard and nightstand for signs of bugs. Although bed bugs prefer softer materials (which is why they’re usually on beds and upholstered furniture), they’ll jump onto anything in the name of survival. Be thorough.
What Signs Should I Look For?
We often find the remains of bed bugs or signs of their presence instead of the actual bugs. For example, smashed bed bugs often leave behind a reddish-brown stain (it’s red because they feed on blood), so look for such marks on your sheets. Bed bugs also shed their skin regularly, and will leave behind small, brown oval exoskeletons. You may also find eggs and/or eggshells, which are about 1mm in size, and dark bed bug excrement, which is the size of a pinhead.
If You Find Bed Bugs, Start Quarantining Immediately
Once infected items are found, you need to remove them from the home right away. Bed bugs are hiders and movers, and they’ll keep working their way through the house unless you stop them. Remember that bed bugs can utilize carpet to move around, so the quicker you separate infected items, the better. Wash all clothes and linens in hot water and throw everything in the dryer for at least 30 minutes – that should be enough to kill all bed bugs on them.
Need Help Getting Rid of Bed Bugs?
If you've already found bed bugs in your home, it's time to take action immediately. Don't bother with store-bought treatments that don't work and give the infestation time to get worse. When you need the most effective bed bug control on the market, turn to a professional. At Zap Termite & Pest Control, we a Sacramento bed bug company that has the tools and experience needed to eliminate bed bug problems and get you back to sleeping soundly in your home once again. Give us a call today to learn more!
