There are some pests that seem easy to avoid. Cockroaches are likely to get in your house if you leave trash lying around. If you leave the door open in the winter, you’ll probably get rodents. And standing water can lead to more mosquitoes. Securing trash, closing doors, and not leaving standing water in your yard can help you avoid these pests
But some pests are more difficult to avoid, pests such as bed bugs. Bed bugs can appear even in the cleanest of homes. They can travel without being seen, and you can pick them up in many places. How do bed bugs get into your home? We’ll break it down for you.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are tiny black bugs that feed on blood from humans and animals. They love dark, soft places, such as the inside of a mattress. Despite the name, however, they aren’t only found in beds. They can hide out in furniture, clothing, behind picture frames, in carpeting, and other places.
How Do Bed Bugs Spread?
Bed bugs don’t have wings, they can’t jump, and they aren’t very fast. So how have they managed to spread to just about everywhere in the world?
- Bed bugs are hitchhikers. They travel with humans.
- Bed bugs may get into luggage and be carried from place to place.
- They can get into clothing and electronics.
- They may be hiding in furniture or bedding, and when these items are transported, the bed bugs get a free ride.
- Your child may pick up bed bugs at school. They could be carried home in backpacks, sweaters, jackets, or toys.
- You may run into bed bugs at the airport in luggage or from the airplane seat. The same goes for trains, buses, and even taxis.
- A hotel, bed and breakfast, or rental home could have bed bugs. The bugs will then get into your luggage and be carried home with you at the end of your stay.
- You might accidentally buy bed bugs by purchasing a used couch or even an appliance.
- Someone might visit your house and unknowingly bring bed bugs with them and leave some behind.
Can You Protect Yourself from Bed Bugs?
There are a lot of ways to encounter bed bugs. Is it possible to avoid a run-in with these pests that seem to be everywhere?
Here are a few tips:
- Inspect before you rest. Check beds, seats, and carpets for signs of bed bugs before sitting down.
- Along the same lines, don’t open your luggage on the floor or bed unless you are sure there are no bed bugs.
- Use a coffee table or luggage stand instead.
- Inspect your luggage once you get home. Check for bugs, droppings, dark spots, or pieces of dead bugs before unpacking.
- If you suspect that there are bed bugs in your home, call Neighborly Pest Management. Bed bugs will multiply quickly. The longer you ignore the problem, the worse it will get.
Even if you aren’t sure whether you actually have bed bugs or not, call Neighborly to come by for an inspection. We’ll send a technician to help you identify bed bugs and assess the scope of the infestation. Then we can work with you to create a treatment plan.
Don’t let bed bugs control your life. An infestation will result in itchy and sometimes painful bites, sleepless nights, and constant discomfort. In the end, it doesn’t matter so much how bed bugs got into your home. What matters is that you let us come by to get them back out again, as soon as possible.