You may have heard a lot recently about bed bug problems in different hotels. However, bed bugs have been around for thousands of years. They feed on blood, but do not spread any diseases to humans. Some people can be allergic to their bites. Getting rid of a bed bug infestation is not easy, but there are steps you can take to control the problem. Read on to find out more about controlling bedbugs in your home.
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small, flat, wingless insects that are reddish brown in color and about one quarter inch long. They hide during the day on beds (mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, headboards) and in crevices and cracks of walls, furniture, and floors. They come out at night. These bugs do not fly or jump, but can crawl rapidly.
How can bed bugs get into my home?
Bed bugs can come from other infested areas, or from used furniture. They can hitch a ride in purses, backpacks, or luggage. They can also travel between rooms in multi-unit buildings, such as apartment complexes or hotels.
How can I avoid bringing bed bugs to my home?
When you are staying in a hotel, keep your bag on a suitcase stand rather than on the bed or the floor. Keep the rack away from walls or furniture. When you are returning home, wash the clothes from your trip and put them in a hot dryer. It is also important to inspect new and used furniture before you bring it inside. Look in seams, tufts, and under cushions.
How do I know I have a bed bug problem?
You will see the bugs themselves, or shed skins, or the droppings in mattress seams and other items in a bedroom. There may also be blood stains on the sheets.
How do I control a bed bug problem in my home?
It can be done, but it usually requires an “integrated pest management” approach. This combines techniques that pose the lowest risk to your health as well as the environment. Try the following strategies:
- Clean and rid your room of clutter
- Move your bed away from walls or other furniture
- Vacuum molding, windows, and floors every day. Vacuum sides and seams of mattresses, box springs, and furniture. Empty the vacuum or the bag immediately and dispose of it outside
- Wash sheets, pillow cases, blankets, and bed skirts and then put them in a hot dryer for at least 30 minutes.
- Seal cracks and crevices and any openings where pipes or wires come into the house.
If you do these things, you will rid your home of bed bugs before you know it. Bed bugs are a very common problem, but they’re not too difficult to get rid of if you know the proper techniques. Remember that bedbugs are not a significant harm to your health, but their bites are painful and annoying, and nobody wants to sleep with bugs.
For more information,talk to a Las Vegas Pest Control specialist for more information.