Of all the ways pests can interfere with our lives, perhaps feeding on our blood while we sleep soundly in bed is the worst of them. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what bed bugs do! Bed bug infestations should not be taken lightly. That’s why when it comes to these intruders, it is best to be proactive in preventing them from entering your Sacramento home.
Identifying Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are oval-shaped parasites that grow to be about ¼ of an inch long and are a reddish-brown color. However, the nymphs are yellow before they’ve had their first blood meal. Bed bugs feed on the blood of mammals and, unfortunately for us, human blood is their favorite. They are also nocturnal which is why they generally feed on us while we are sleeping. As such, bed bugs often make their homes in mattresses and box springs which is where they get their name. Therefore, if you notice smeared blood on your sheets, they could be your culprit. Other signs of bed bug infestations include rusty spots on your sheets and pillows, or a musty odor coming from around your bed.
Where You Might Pick Up Bed Bugs
More often than not, bed bugs will enter our homes after we have unknowingly brought them in ourselves. That is because they act like little hitchhikers. They lay in wait, and when we pass by climb onto our bags, coats, and other personal property. Then we return home, not even realizing we are bringing bed bugs with us. Therefore, it is important to be aware of places where you are most likely to pick up bed bugs.
Bed bugs feed primarily on people, so areas where you are most likely to pick them up are where there is high traffic. Places such as train stations, bus stations, airports, hotels, hospitals, dormitories, and schools are all areas where you might pick up bed bugs.
In addition to literally riding our coattails into our homes, they also get into houses via second-hand furniture and appliances. As such, if you do purchase any used furniture or appliances, be sure to inspect them before bringing them into your home.
Bed Bug Prevention Tips
Knowing where you are likely to pick up bed bugs and the other ways they may get into your home are very important when it comes to prevention. With these in mind, the best ways to lower your odds of dealing with a bed bug infestation include:
- Do not set your bags or purses on the ground in transit hubs or other high bed bug areas.
- Check hotel rooms for signs of bed bugs before sleeping in them.
- Inspect and clean any second-hand furniture, clothing, or appliances before bringing them into your home.
- Inspect your coat and person for bed bugs after returning from bed bug-heavy areas.
- Wash your bedding weekly.
- Wash and vacuum floors regularly including steaming carpets and upholstered furniture.
What To Do If Bed Bugs Infest Your Home
If you do spot bed bugs or signs of them anywhere in your home, do not hesitate to call the trained pest professionals here at Neighborly Pest Management. We have over 40 years of experience which means we have the expertise to effectively eliminate any bed bug infestation with which you might be dealing. Don’t lose sleep over bed bugs! Give us a call today.