Once you’ve experienced a bed bug infestation, preventing it from happening again becomes a top priority. The best way to prevent bed bugs from coming into your home is to implement some exclusion methods and call in professional exterminators.
These pests are resilient, stealthy, and surprisingly mobile, easily hitching rides on luggage, clothing, and used furniture. Even worse, they can survive for months without a meal, making them hard to eliminate without help.
At Eden Advanced Pest Technologies, we understand how frustrating and stressful bed bugs can be. That’s why we’ve put together a guide to help you avoid bringing them into your home again.
How Can I Avoid Bed Bugs?
Schedule Routine Pest Control Inspections
The most effective way to prevent a serious bed bug problem is early detection. Regular visits from a licensed pest professional ensure that any new activity is caught quickly, before it can spread. Our team knows exactly where to look and what subtle signs to watch for.
Be Cautious with Used Furniture and Clothing
Secondhand furniture may seem like a bargain, but it can carry hidden bed bug eggs or nymphs that are easy to miss. Avoid bringing home used beds, couches, cushions, or other fabric-upholstered items unless they’ve been professionally cleaned and inspected. If you do purchase secondhand clothing, wash and dry it on high heat as soon as you get home.
Inspect Hotel Rooms for Bed Bugs While Traveling
Traveling is one of the most common ways bed bugs spread, but a quick inspection when you arrive can save you from bringing home unwanted guests. Use this checklist to protect yourself:
- Carefully inspect the mattress and sheets. Look underneath the mattress, around the tags, and along the seams and corners of the bed frame for bugs and dark spots.
- Keep luggage off the bed and floor. Use a luggage rack and store bags away from walls until you’re sure the room is bed bug-free.
- As soon as you return home, wash all clothing in hot water and dry on high heat. Vacuum out your suitcase thoroughly, including carry-ons and handbags.
- If you notice bite marks during your trip, report it to hotel management immediately, and take extra precautions when you get home.
- Consider unpacking outside or in the garage, then launder clothing and treat luggage with bed bug strips or other travel-safe decontamination tools.
Continue to monitor your bed and furniture for signs of activity in the following weeks, and contact a professional at the first sign of trouble.
Maintain a Clutter-Free Home
A clean and organized home makes it much easier to detect bed bugs before they become an issue. Pay special attention to spaces under and around beds, and wash bedding in hot water weekly. Decluttering these areas reduces hiding spots and allows for easier inspections, both for you and for pest professionals.
Check for Signs of Bed Bugs Between Visits
In between inspections, you can do your own quick checks in areas where bed bugs tend to hide, such as mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and couch cushions. Be especially vigilant after guests stay overnight or service professionals have worked inside your home.
How Do I Know if I Have a Bed Bug Infestation?
Not sure if you’re dealing with bed bugs? There are a few signs you can watch for. In addition to the bugs themselves or unexplained bites on your skin, you may notice tiny reddish or rust-colored spots on bedding, furniture, or clothing. These stains are often bed bug droppings, and can be an early warning sign of an infestation.
Trust Eden Advanced Pest Technologies for Bed Bug Extermination
Since 2001, homeowners and businesses in the Spokane WA and Coeur d’Alene ID areas have relied on Eden Advanced Pest Technologies for effective, professional bed bug extermination. These pests are notoriously difficult to eliminate without expert help. Thankfully, our experienced team is here to help with proven methods that can remove, and prevent, any infestations.
Ready to have peace of mind in your home? Contact us today for a free estimate.
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