Bed bugs may be able to survive in a wide range of temperatures, but they love heat so they thrive in the summertime. Summer is the time of year when bed bugs are at their most active, which also makes it the time of year when you need to be most vigilant. The following five tips will help you keep bed bugs out this summer.
Be Careful While on Vacation
Bed bugs infest new homes by hitching a ride on someone or something and settling in wherever they land. Because summer is such a busy time for travel, it also makes it a busy time for bed bugs to move from place to place. When you go on vacation, check your hotel room before bringing your luggage inside. Look for signs of bed bugs under the mattresses, behind picture frames, and around the edges of the room. If you don’t find anything, still keep your luggage on shelves or racks and not on the floor. When it’s time to check out, check carefully through your belongings to make sure no bed bugs have snuck inside.
Inspect All Bags and Boxes Before Bringing Them Inside
Whether you’re returning from vacation or returning from the store, it’s always a good idea to do a quick inspection of your bags, luggage, and boxes before bringing them inside to avoid inadvertently introducing bed bugs into your home. You can also check your clothing and shoes while you’re at it for extra protection!
Reduce Clutter
Bed bugs love clutter because it gives them many places to hide. Although they can and do infest homes that are clutter-free, you have a much better chance of discovering them sooner rather than later if your home does not have a lot of places for bed bugs to hide. And when it comes to bed bugs, that's an important advantage!
Regularly Inspect Your Home
Just as you would inspect a hotel room before spending the night, also inspect your home for bed bugs regularly. The sooner you catch an infestation, the easier it will be to treat. Beyond looking under mattresses, behind picture frames, and along the edges of the walls, make sure to check your sheets and pillows for tiny red dots or brown streaks. Also, check upholstered furniture for shed skin or the bed bugs themselves, as these are common areas where bed bugs will hide.
Clean and Do Laundry Frequently
While cleaning and doing laundry won’t eliminate a bed bug infestation, it can help. Dryer temperatures will kill any bed bugs or bed bug eggs that remain on sheets or clothing after being washed. Furthermore, keeping a clean house will help you to identify the signs of an infestation much sooner than if your house stays messy.
What to Do if You Find Bed Bugs in Your Home This Summer
If you find bed bugs in your home, the best course of action is to get professional treatment right away. DIY treatments rarely take care of every bed bug, larvae, or egg in your home, and that can lead to future outbreaks. DIY treatments can also be dangerous to you, your family, and your pets if not done correctly.
The Original Bugman Pest Elimination, Inc. provides the most advanced treatment options for bed bug elimination, treating each case on an individual basis. We’ll inspect your home to determine the size and location of the problem, then customize a professional treatment plan according to your specific needs.
To learn more about our reliable bed bug treatment plans or to schedule a service with us, give us a call today! We'd be happy to help in any way we can!
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