There is quite a bit of confusion surrounding bed bugs. A myth that seems to continue circulating is that bed bugs only infest dirty homes. This is not the case. It has never been the case. If this is your current understanding, it can make you more vulnerable to a bed bug infestation. Let's take a closer look.
Passive Dispersal
A bed bug's gonna do what a bed bug's gonna do. Whether it is in your home, someone else's home, or a business, bed bugs are going to do what they always do. They're going to find hiding places in which to congregate, and they're going to find humans to feed on.
When bed bugs hide, they sometimes hide in objects that can be moved from location to location. When bed bugs go looking for humans to feed on, they can accidentally get into clothing and carriable items. In both cases, this can lead to the passive spread of these insects. These insects don't decide to live with you because you're dirty.
Indoor Pests
Bed bugs have been dwelling in human-structures, and in close proximity to humans, since the dawn of time. They don't prefer to live outside, and there is no chance that these insects are in your yard. While there are many pests that come in from the outside and choose to live with you if your home is dirty, bed bugs are not one of them.
A Clean Home Is A Resistant Home
While maintaining a clean home won't prevent a bed bug infestation, it can help you prevent an ongoing infestation. Bed bugs thrive in a cluttered and dirty environment. Here are two reasons why:
- A cluttered home allows bed bugs to move about more freely without being detected.
- A dirty home can help to conceal the evidence of bed bug activity, such as brown stains caused by decaying blood, black stains caused by bed bug excrement, and the shed skins of developing bed bugs.
How To Prevent A Bed Bug Infestation
There are many ways bed bugs can get into your home. They can be brought in on family members, extended family members, friends, visitors, and even you yourself can bring them in. They can be carried in clothing, pocketbooks, duffel bags, book bags, electronics, second-hand furniture, and more. So, how on earth can you prevent an infestation? It's pretty hard, but you're not without options.
- Learn to detect bed bugs. The warning signs bed bugs leave can alert you to their presence and possibly halt their passive travel to your home. Be on the lookout—even during the day—for dried blood stains, black specks or patches, shed skins, or the unpleasant pheromone scent of bed bugs. Also, make yourself aware of what bed bugs look like in all stages of development.
- Always do bed bug inspections when you spend the night somewhere—even if you're staying with a friend or relative. Spending the night somewhere will put you at higher risk because bed bugs are active during the night. But, keep in mind that they can be active during the day in dark locations, such as movie theaters.
- When spending the night at a hotel, store your bags outside or in the bathtub as you perform your inspection. When opening luggage, put your luggage on the rack provided. Refrain from laying clothing on beds or furniture. Store your laundry in a sealed, plastic bag. When you return home, put all your clothes through a hot washer cycle and a dryer cycle that is at least thirty minutes long.
- When you, and others in your home, go out and about, consider a few simple preventative measures. Don't put bags down on the floor if you can help it. Don't put bags near the bags of others. Use the light on your smartphone to check dark places, such as the seat of a movie theater, before you settle in.
- Inspect second-hand items before you bring them into your home. The last thing you want is a second-hand infestation. If you determine that an item could have bed bugs in it, and it is small enough, you may be able to put it in a sealed plastic bag and store it in your fridge for a week to eliminate the bugs. If it is a larger item, you can have that item treated by a licensed pest professional.
Bed Bug Control For Lake Worth
If you live in the Lake Worth area and you need assistance with the control of bed bugs, the service team here at Above And Beyond Pest Control is standing by to help. The methods and products we use are field-tested and EPA-approved.
There is no better way to address bed bug concerns than by partnering with us to receive our bed bug control service. Connect with us today and tell us about your bed bug or pest problems. We also provide quality commercial pest management.
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