How to Keep Bed Bugs Out of Your Home
How to Prevent These Pests from Getting in and Infesting Your Home
Provided that bed bug infestations start with bringing in infested furniture as well as friends or neighbours who are visiting, there are a few precautions that you can take to make sure that the risk of getting bed bugs is lower. Some of which include the following:
- Inspect any second-hand item prior to buying
Yes, it is the cheapest way to get new furniture for your home, but it can also be the easiest way to introduce bed bugs to your home. If you like thrift shopping, it is best to inspect the item thoroughly. As an important rule, keep in mind that of all the second-hand items you can buy, never buy a mattress.
If ever you buy second-hand items such as upholstered furniture, despite the entire surface looking spotless, it is recommended to clean it completely prior to placing it inside your home. First, place it inside the shed or garage and clean it either by washing, vacuuming, or steam cleaning. Make sure that you reach every nook and cranny to prevent any bed bugs from escaping.
- Check Your Bedding Regularly
Now, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to do this every day and night. Whenever you are about to wash your bedding, use this time to inspect it for any signs or residue left behind by bed bugs.
If you notice any signs, remove your bedding and place it in the wash at the highest heat setting. It is also a good idea to wash any throw blankets, rugs, curtains and pillows that are inside your bedroom.
When dealing with your mattress and box spring, take each one outside and scrub brush the seams and other infested areas. This will remove any bed bugs and eggs left. Then, vacuum and steam clean the entire surface and all tiny spaces to ensure that you kill any lingering bugs.
After cleaning, wrap your mattress and box springs with a tight plastic covering and leave it outside. If you want to use them after cleaning but don’t want to take the risk of getting bitten by any remaining bed bugs, consider using a mattress encasement or box spring cover to keep bed bugs from escaping.
- Make It a Habit to Check Your Entire Hotel Room for Bed Bugs When Travelling
Travelling is among one of the main causes of bed bugs being brought home. If you have accidentally stayed in an infested hotel room, bed bugs may have latched onto your luggage and other belongings. For this reason, it is important to inspect the entire room starting with the bed, curtains, furniture, and other items you see in the room. Make sure that you do this prior to unpacking. Simply place your things inside the bathroom during inspection as bed bugs are less likely to be found in this area.
In case you have missed an infested area and your clothes and other items become infested, place all of them in sealed plastic bags or dissolvable laundry bags. This way, you can prevent bed bugs from roaming around inside your luggage and infesting other items while you are returning home. Upon arriving home, immediately throw your infested items in the washer and set it at the highest temperature.
If you enjoy a bed bug-free travelling experience, it is still a good idea to check your luggage outside your home before bringing it inside. Go the extra mile and vacuum as well as hand-wash your luggage to make sure that no bed bugs can escape and get inside your home.
By following these steps, you can guarantee that bed bugs will never get inside your home. If you know that friends are coming, you can prevent the risk of getting bed bugs by meeting at your favourite restaurant or place where you and your visitors will enjoy.
Despite all your efforts, you might still end up contracting these pests one way or another, but knowing how to get rid of bed bugs can help to prevent an infestation. It starts with learning their hiding spots which can include narrow cracks and crevices, and familiarizing all bed bug treatments you can consider doing in your home.
For low-level infestations, it is still possible to eliminate bed bugs by using bed bug traps. These traps not only help you to detect how serious the infestation is but also lessens the number of bed bugs little by little. Investing in passive monitors is also a great idea. Bed bug passive monitors work well in case you had your home treated for these pests. With these traps, you get a continuous detector that’ll allow you to determine how effective the treatment was or if you’re still dealing with bed bugs.
