Bed Bug Prevention – Orange County Pest Control

Bed Bug Prevention

  • Bed Bug Prevention

    First it must be understood that there is nothing you can do to guaranty that you will not get bed bugs. Bed bugs are probably the most successful hitch-hikers known to man, and they can find their way almost anywhere given enough time. That being said, there are things you can do to minimize getting these unwanted visitors.

    Bed bugs are not caused by poor sanitation but cleanliness can deny them harborage areas (hiding spaces) as well as enable you to realize quicker if bed bugs have invaded your home. Clean your home regularly. Vacuum your floors and furniture paying special attention to the seams (especially on your mattress and box spring). Remove clutter and launder your bedding often on as high a temperature as possible (without damaging your bedding).

    Bed bugs can hide almost anywhere and fit in the tiniest of spaces so inspecting everywhere a bed bug can hide is time consuming. Because of this, it is best left to licensed professionals if you suspect you have bed bugs. But you can do monthly spot inspections looking for tell-tale signs of bed bugs such as blood spots, skin casts, and fecal matter. Check the seams of your mattress and box springs, check both your pillows and pillow cases, check for blood spots on your sheets (sleeping on light colored sheets will help identify the blood spots easier), check behind picture frames and wall ornaments hung above or near your bed, and check behind head-boards and dressers or night-stands next to your bed.

    Bed-bugs are great hitch-hikers and can travel on or in almost anything including that snazzy new outfit you just bought at the store. It doesn’t matter if you shop at a thrift store, discount store, or major department store, there is always the possibility that you may be bringing home an unseen hitch-hiker. Always check anything you bring into your home regardless of where you got it from. When possible, it is highly recommended NOT to bring any used furniture or beds into your home. Never pick up used furniture or beds that people have thrown out or left on the curb.

    Bed bugs can travel through shared walls and by following pipes or electrical lines. As with all pests, one of the best ways to keep from having a problem is to seal off as many access holes into your home as possible. Do an inspection around your house and seal any possible acces areas such as cracks and crevices (especially around pipes and outlets), all holes no matter how tiny, and make sure all faceplates are secure on outlet and light switches.

    Taking a vacation can relieve a lot of stress, but if you bring back bed bugs as a souvenir your relief could be short lived. It is always a good idea to research the hotel you will be staying at before you make a reservation just to make sure bed bugs have not been an issue. Even the best hotels may show that they had a bed bug outbreak, but if the hotel is showing repeated outbreaks or complaints about bed bugs, it would probably be a good idea to look somewhere else. When you get to your hotel, be sure to inspect your hotel room when you first enter it. Put your suitcase in the bathtub until after you have finished your inspection. Your inspection should include inspecting the seams of the mattress and box spring, inspecting the sheets, looking behind the headboard, and inspecting the seams of any couch or chair in the room. If you have a pest control company, have them treat your luggage before you leave. This will help prevent you from picking up bed bugs if your luggage comes in contact with other people’s luggage that is infested. When returning from vacation, unpack your luggage in the garage. Immediately transfer your clothing to plastic bags. Keep them in the tied plastic bags until you have time to wash and dry them on as hot a temperature as possible without doing damage to your clothes. If you have a pest control company, have them come out and treat your luggage before bringing it into your home.

    If you deny access to your bed, then you are keeping bed bugs away from their next meal which is you! Put Bed Bug Certified Encasements on both your mattress and your box spring. Pull your headboard and bed a few inches away from the wall and keep side tables and other furniture from touching your bed. Keep blankets and bed skirts off the floor and do not store items under your bed.

    If you do suspect you have bed bugs, get professional help immediately. Getting rid of the infested furniture is rarely a permanent solution to getting rid of bed bugs and can actually make matters worse by inadvertently dropping bed bugs and bed bug eggs in previously ‘clean’ rooms. Experts agree that bed bugs are one of the few insects that REQUIRE professional help to get rid of them. If you need help getting rid of bed bugs or would like a Bed Bug Prevention sheet, just give us a call or e-mail us today.

    Preferred General Contracting & Exterminating Orange County

    Office: 714.916.0173 • Fax: 714.274.9867
    E-Mail: info@preferredpestcontroloc.com
    Web: www.preferredpestcontroloc.com
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/preferredpestcontrolorangecounty

    Offering: Pest Control, Termite Control, Bed Bug Treatment, Bee Service and more…
    Located in Fountain Valley, CA

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