Over the last 10 or so years, the number of incidences of bed bugs in the US has been on the rise. And unfortunately, many popular travel destinations are being heavily affected by this rather upsetting trend.
Hotels, motels and rental condos are at risk of becoming infested by travelers and travelers are at risk of bringing home unwanted stowaways. These nasty bugs may even be carrying a strain of the drug-resistant Staphylococcus (staph) bacteria.
Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eradicate. More tenacious than termites, ants and even roaches, bed bugs can quickly become a full blown infestation once they gain access to your home. It is much better to keep them out then to evict them.
Bed bugs are small and have an amazing ability to hide in even the tiniest crevice, escaping most chemical methods of treatment. They are nocturnal and thus hardly even seen in daylight. You must rely on seeing the evidence of their presence rather than the bugs themselves. Add in the fact that their bodies can withstand environments up to 120 degrees and you have a tough bug to beat, even for a seasoned bed bug exterminator.
It’s easy to see why prevention is really the most sensible method of controlling bed bugs. Here are a few ways to protect your home and family from being invaded by these troublesome pests.
Learn the points of entry. If you don’t know how bed bugs get into your home, you can’t keep them out. These bugs are crafty hitchhikers and will get a ride on almost any surface.
- Suitcases and clothing used during travel are easy places for a bed bug to hide.
- They like to be warm, so your lap top and other heat-generating devices might be a tempting place for a bed bug as well.
- Second hand items, including furniture, can harbor bed bugs.
Limit your exposure. Try to limit your family’s exposure to bed bugs to prevent them from getting in your home.
- Check a bed bug tracking website before you travel. See if there have been any active infestations reported in the area or in the hotel you have booked.
- Call the hotel or condo you’ve booked and ask what preventative methods they employ.
- Inspect the linens and mattresses. You will see tiny brown or brownish-red specks on a mattress or the mattress pad if bed bugs have been actively biting.
Use caution when returning home. Be careful when returning home from a potential source of bed bugs. Whether it is business travel or visiting a child in their dorm, be wary of bringing something home.
- Seal your vacation or travel laundry in a plastic bag inside your suitcase. Wash everything in hot water and run it through a hot cycle in the dryer before putting it back in the closet. Do this even if the items were not worn.
- Vacuum your suitcases, backpacks and computer cases, inside and out, before allowing them inside the home.
- Ask your professional exterminator about methods of treating furniture like steam or heat treatments for bed bugs if you like to bring vintage or antique pieces into your home.
Using preventative measures will help keep your home free from bed bugs and other pests. However, if you should see evidence of bed bugs in your home do not hesitate to call a professional bed bug exterminator.
Article Source: Hopper
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