How to Prevent a Bed Bug Infestation
Preventing bed bugs is half the battle, and ensuring that the living space is pest-free is mandatory.
The desire to avoid a bed bug infestation is a universal experience. The pests feed on human and animal blood, so getting them out of the home is mandatory. However, nobody wants to spend time flipping the mattress over and examining every corner for pests.
Here's a short guide on how to prevent bed bugs from infesting the home:
Determine if they are bed bugs
Bed bugs can look like many other home pests. They're small, oval-shaped, and brownish, and, as mentioned, feed on human and animal blood. So, while they may look harmless and merely annoying, they can cause skin rashes and allergic reactions. Also, bed bugs can't fly, but they can quickly move over floors and other surfaces, so they're hard to catch and kill.
Prevent them from entering the home
Also, bed bugs are good hitchhikers who can enter the home by traveling on luggage, clothing, and used furniture. Secondhand furniture is especially prone to hiding a bedbug infestation. The best way to ensure the pests won't enter the home is to inspect items like used mattresses, box springs and bed frames, or luggage taken on vacation before bringing them inside.
Using a protective cover
Encasing a mattress in a protective cover prevents bed bug infestations. In addition, they can help eliminate bed bug hiding spots since the bugs are easier to see with the light color of the cover. Some protective covers are also pre-treated for bed bug control.
Hygiene check
A regular cleaning schedule is an excellent way to ensure bed bugs don't move in and thrive. Vacuuming the bed and the surrounding area helps eliminate infested areas. An additional prevention method is to use a stiff brush to scrub the infested space before vacuuming.
Reducing clutter
A messy home makes infestations easier, as it is harder to locate them. Removing the clutter and cleaning up the space reduces the number of hiding spots for bed bugs. Eliminate box stacks, old magazines, or anything that could provide shelter to pests.
Heat treatment
Bed bug heat treatment doesn't mean raising the overall room temperature, specifically high-temperature treatments. The best way to conduct this type of treatment is to hire a professional with special tools. Bed bugs can't survive at a temperature higher than 45°C (113°F), and the temperature needs to be even hotter for an effective treatment.
Chemical treatment
A chemical treatment may be the best solution if every other prevention method fails and the bed bug infestation is persistent. Hiring an experienced exterminator service will ensure that the home is bed bug-free. In addition, some chemical treatments work even after a single application and prevent future infestations.
Consult an exterminator
Bed bug infestations can be stubborn. Preventing them is half the battle, and ensuring that the living space is pest-free is mandatory. However, if the problem is persistent, the best option is to consult a professional exterminator service.
Bed Bugs Arizona offers a free, in-home bed bug inspection and a one-year warranty on all bed bug services. No obligation. We specialize in apartment communities. Our fast, certified technicians provide the Pro-Treat Plus method of bed bug removal to Phoenix and surrounding cities in a 100-mile plus radius including Flagstaff, Globe, and Casa Grande. Veteran and senior discounts. Call now at (602) 962-8806.
