Tips For Preventing Bed Bugs

Upon returning home from traveling, inspect your luggage for bed bugs. It is good practice to open your suitcase in an area that bed bugs cannot live, such as a garage.

Practice proper, routine hygiene such as showering with soap and water, shampooing your hair, and even grooming your nails.

Avoid purchasing and bringing used furniture into your home. You don't know where it’s been or what could be living in it.

And for godsakes, if you wake up in the morning with little red bumps that are itchy - call a professional exterminator to get rid of your bed bugs.

Keep Your House Free Of Bed Bugs

Regular cleaning of your home is a great way to prevent bed bugs. Reduce clutter and vacuum every where -- including all mattresses on a weekly basis. It is also suggested that you wash all bedding at least once a week.

Bed bugs thrive in warm, upholstered places such as mattresses, sofas, pillows, and carpets. Therefore, covering your mattress and pillows with plastic covers will prevent bed bugs from making a home in them.

If traveling, be sure to thoroughly check the hotel room in which you are staying. If you suspect bed bugs, ask for a different room. Bed bugs are master hitchhikers and will catch a ride to your home via your clothes, suitcase, and shoes.

How To Prevent Bed Bugs From Appearing

Once it has been determined that there are no existing bed bugs lurking, you can follow these tips and tricks to preventing bed bugs.

Get rid of any old furniture you may have hanging around your house and spray your existing furniture with insecticide spray. Not only will this kill any bed bugs that you might have missed during your inspection but it will also prevent future bed bugs from inhabiting the area.

Repair any cracks on your home's exterior, including window screens, to prevent bed bugs from entering in the first place.

Bed Bug Infestation - how to remove

Bed bugs can not fly or walk long distances but are resilient in attaching to humans and even household pets. If you have a pet that frequently goes outside, your risk of an infestation is higher. Therefore, you should limit or restrict your pet's outdoor activity.

Bed bugs can live up to 12 months without food so it is imperative to be vigilant. Make it a habit to check for bed bugs on a regular basis.

Since 2005, bed bug infestations have tripled, making this a very common problem. Unfortunately, the stigma associated with having bed bugs is grim. Even though this stigma is unfounded, it is nonetheless embarrassing and as the saying goes, the best offense is a good defense!

Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are wingless insects from the family Cimicidae that survive by feeding on the blood from warm-blooded animals. Although bed bugs are troublesome, they do not cause pathogens. Once a home is infested, it can be difficult to rid yourself of them. Therefore, prevention is key. However, before you can initiate a strong defense you should first inspect all furniture and bedding or any warm surface that comes into contact with humans.