Do You Know Bed Bugs Are Not Just in Your Bed?

Bed bugs get their name from their tendency to hang out in beds. They cannot easily travel around looking for food like some types of pests. Bed bugs cannot jump around or fly so they have to wait for their food source to come to them. This makes beds an ideal place for them because their food source-people-come back every evening to serve up a feast. But, bed bugs can be found in places other than your bed. It is important to be aware of the other places where these pests can hide so you can be on the lookout for them and be aware of things that can bring them into your house.   

Bedframe

Bed bugs are commonly found on mattresses and in bedding but they can also hide on the bed frame. The cracks and crevices in your bedframe can provide them with the cover they need to hide out and wait for their meal to arrive.

Electrical outlets

Electrical outlets that are close to your bed can also be hiding places for bed bugs. These pests are tiny and can hide in the smallest of spots. Outlets can provide bed bugs with protection and darkness during the times that they are not out feeding.

Other furniture

Bed bugs need access to people in order to feed and beds are not the only type of furniture where people spend time. Chairs, couches, and other types of furniture can also harbor bed bugs. This is an important fact to remember when you think about bringing used furniture into your house. Even if you are getting something other than a bed, you need to do a thorough inspection for bed bugs.

Clothes

Bed bugs are tiny and can travel undetected on clothing. This means that you can pick them up on your clothing and transfer them into your house. In addition, they can travel on used clothing that you purchase. If you go to a place where you suspect bed bugs or buy used clothing then you should take precautions to insure that bed bugs do not infest your home. The simplest way to do this is to throw the clothing in the washer and then dryer on the highest heat settings the clothing can handle. The heat can kill off bed bugs that have tried to follow you home.

Suitcases

It is well known that bed bugs hang out in places where people travel often-such as hotel rooms. This means that there is always a risk of bed bugs crawling into your suitcases and other luggage. One way to protect against bed bugs in your suitcases is by keeping your luggage up off the floor and away from the bed. You can store it in the top of the hotel room closet or on the luggage caddy to minimize your chances of bringing home bed bugs.

In order to really protect your home from bed bugs you have to think about all of the areas they can possibly be. Being proactive about identifying possible areas bed bugs can hide will help you identify potential issues quickly and effectively.