How To Prevent Bed Bugs In Your Home

One of the worst types of pests to get in your home is the bed bug. Not just because they are a nuisance, but because once you have them, they are difficult to get rid of. Here are some tips for preventing bed bugs so you don't have to be concerned about them in the future.

Be Careful When Traveling

Bed bugs are not just going to find their way into your home from outside; they usually have a host that brings them inside. One common way to get bed bugs is to have them hide in your luggage or clothing when you are traveling. If you plan to stay at a hotel, make sure you investigate the room thoroughly before setting anything down or staying in that room. Check the mattress for signs of brownish-red bugs or small blood spots around the edges of the mattresses. Also check the flooring, bed frame, wall, and baseboards around the bed for signs of these pesky insects. Keep your luggage off the ground just in case, and inspect it before you leave. If you find signs of bed bugs in your luggage, make sure you remove all traces of them before returning home.

Cover Your Mattresses

While you can find bed bugs anywhere in your home, they are most often found on the mattress or around the bed. Protect your mattresses by covering them completely. There are mattress bags to fit around your mattress and zip up tightly. This will hopefully keep bed bugs and other pests out, including spiders, roaches, earwigs, and even dust mites. You should be covering both your top mattress and your box spring with the mattress bags. Also cover them when transporting them or storing them in a storage unit.

Wash All the Bedding Often

All bedding in your home should be washed on a regular basis. To start with, make sure you are changing and washing your bed sheets, comforters and blankets, and pillowcases on a regular basis. If there were any bed bugs or eggs on them, and you wash them in hot water, it should kill them. You also want to wash any throws on your bed or other furniture in the room, and rugs around your bed. Make sure you also wash your pet's beds as they can also get bed bugs.

Vacuum Often

As a final protective measure, vacuum everything in your home on a regular basis. In the bedroom, this includes the carpeting, rugs, and your mattresses. Also make sure you vacuum close to the edge of the wall where the baseboards are, as that is where a lot of pests like to hide. Vacuum all upholstered furniture and carpeting just to be sure.

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