Your Pest Control in Sacramento and Avoiding Bed Bugs

Bed bugs don’t wait for an invitation, they barge right on in on their own.

Bed bugs present a major problem for households all across the United States. Bed bugs need a safe and warm environment to survive and thrive, there are many places in your home that provide the ideal conditions.

There are many ways in which you can prevent bed bugs from invading your home. But with even the best plans, they might still find a way into your home. Bed bugs are elusive and they hide deep in narrow crevices and cracks, making them difficult to find.

It is important to remember that bed bugs can be found anywhere, not just on or near a bed, they will take shelter in any place that meets their needs to live. Earthwise Pest Management, your home pest control in Sacramento, offers tips to prevent bed bugs from entering your home.

Laundromats

Shared laundry facilities are the ideal places for the transmission of bed bugs from one place to another. When visiting your local laundromat, avoid carrying your laundry in an open laundry basic. Instead, carry your laundry in plastic bags that are sealed up. This will keep them safe from a potential bed bug transfer.

Public Places

Bed bugs can be found in all sorts of unsuspected places, like store dressing rooms, for example, which are safe havens for these pests. You can find bed bugs on carpeted floors and in the cushioned seats of dressing rooms.

Just make sure you are careful when using dressing rooms.

Traveling

As a traveler, you run the risk of bringing home bed bugs from a number of places.

When you check into a hotel, make sure you look for any signs of bed bugs. Look for rust-colored spots on the bed sheets, seams and tags of the mattress and on the bed skirt. Look under furniture for signs of the pests. Bed bugs will also hide behind pictures, artwork headboards and electrical outlet panels.

When arriving at the hotel, examine your luggage away from the bed and walls. Carefully assess your clothing and other belongings when you pack your suitcase after your hotel stay.

When you get home, place all of the clothing you packed into the dryer on the high setting for at least 15 minutes.

Moving Blankets

If your moving company provides blankets, kindly decline and use your own instead. The blankets your moving company provides might not be properly cleaned and could be infested with bed bugs from the belongings of another client.

Check Used Items

Used items you might buy at garage sales and other places could be ideal hiding spaces for bed bugs. Even if something looks clean, it is best if you thoroughly check it out. For example, you might find bed bugs in that DVD player you bought at the flea market.

This holds true for large items as well, including furniture like dressers and nightstands.

Reduce Clutter

The more clutter you have, the more difficult it is to keep bed bugs out of your home. Start by eliminating clutter that has accumulated against walls as these are attractive places for bed bugs to hide.

Organize and properly store items you don’t use on a daily basis so that they don’t become a hotel for bed bugs.

Check Fido and Fluffy

Just like your bed, your pet’s bed is a perfect place for bed bugs to hide. Make sure you regularly inspect the dog or cat bed and if possible, wash it often and dry it on the highest dryer setting.

Vacuum Often

Bed bugs can be found anywhere in your house, not just in the bedroom near the bed. Bed bugs love hanging out in your carpet, so it is important that you thoroughly vacuum often to ensure any bed bugs have been eliminated.

You should also be vacuuming your mattress, box spring and uncarpeted floors. Once you have vacuumed everything, place the vacuum bag in a garbage bag, seal it off and place it in the garbage can outside.

Buy a Mattress Cover

It is a good idea to invest in a mattress cover, this will help make your bed inspections quicker and easier.

If you are suffering a bed bug infestation, give Earthwise Pest Management a call.