Bed bugs are hitchhiking pests. They don't live in your Indianapolis yard. They're indoor pests that travel passively from one location to another. The more you understand how this works, the more success you'll have in preventing a bed bug infestation. Here are a few examples of this passive dispersal:
Bed Bugs Get Into Dirty Clothes
If you stay the night somewhere and put dirty clothes on a chair, bed, counter, table, or floor, you can expect bed bugs to get into these items. Bed bugs are attracted to the oils from your skin that get soaked into items you've worn. If you want to prevent an infestation in your home, remember to keep your laundry items in a sealed plastic bag while on vacation, or while spending the night at someone's house.
Bed Bugs Get Into Tight Spaces
These insects prefer to be squeezed. This behavior is called thigmotaxis. When a bed bug explores, it is drawn to tight spaces and locations that are compressed, such as the space between a mattress and a box spring. If they get into the tight spaces of a moveable object, they can be transported. This might be a pocketbook, book bag, duffel bag, or some other item that is used for carrying things to work or school. Routine examinations of cracks, gaps, and seams in these items can prevent an infestation.
Bed Bugs Love The Dark
Most bed bugs won't come out of hiding unless it is pitch dark. They'll happily stay hidden inside bed frames, box springs, bed stands, and other furniture items. If these items are moved or sold, bed bugs can go with them. This is a common way infestations begin. If you purchase a used item or pick something up from the side of the road, be sure to do a detailed inspection of the item.
Inspect fabrics for black specks, blotched, or patches. This is the excrement of bed bugs.
Inspect creases, seams, stitching, and recesses for shed skins, tiny white eggs, or the presence of bed bugs.
Smell the item. If it smells like a musty towel, you may be smelling the pheromones bed bugs use to communicate with each other.
What You Need To Know Most
It is extremely difficult to keep bed bugs out of your home. They can be brought into your home by anyone at any time. While other pests can be stopped at your foundation wall, bed bugs pass right by your exterior pest control. The only way to completely stop them is to set up a checkpoint and have trained dogs sniff every person who walks through your door, including you. This is entirely impractical. The next best option is to be vigilant about taking steps to make it more difficult for bed bugs to hitch a ride home with you, or someone else in your home.
Always do a quick inspection when spending the night somewhere, even if it is the home of a friend or relative you trust. Bed bugs can infest a home for months without being detected.
Always stay on the lookout for bed bugs and signs of bed bugs, such as black feces, shed skins, white eggs, the scent of pheromones, and bed bug bites.
Refrain from putting bags or clothing next to the bags and clothing of others.
Keep dirty clothes in a sealed bag. A garbage bag and a bread tie are a cheap solution.
Always use the luggage rack at hotels, motels, and resorts. Don't put your bags on the floor or bed.
Refrain from hanging clothing over beds, chairs, and upholstered furniture.
Train your kids to implement these tips.
What To Do About A Bed Bug Infestation
If you detect bed bugs in an item that can be put through a 30-minute dryer cycle, this may be all that is needed to prevent an infestation. The heat of a dryer is enough to kill bed bugs in all stages of development. If you detect an infestation in your home, take action and contact Action Pest Control. Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to exterminate. Let our licensed professionals assist you with the highest level of bed bug control. Reach out to us today to request an inspection.
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