Bed bugs are creepy crawlers that bite you unsuspectingly while you sleep. They can be living in virtually any place in your home that provides them with a warm and cozy living environment. Bed bugs love to live in unsanitary and cluttered spaces that keep them warm and hidden away from the naked eye. Having bed bugs can become a very expensive problem. They can ruin furniture, clothes, and even require certain rooms in your home to be completely torn apart and cleaned before it is bed bug free. Instead of going through the measures of getting rid of bed bugs, it is easier to take preventative measures against bed bugs so they do not come into the home at all.
1.) De-Clutter
Bed bugs thrive in areas of the home that are cluttered. These dark spaces in between the large amounts of items have probably collected a lot of dust. These dust particles are the perfect living environment for bed bugs to live in because they are warm and not easily detectable. Make sure to de-clutter spaces of your home and clean all of the items that have been in the room. Take a vacuum and clean the floor, around the sides of the walls, and vents as well to vacuum up any dust that bed bugs could live in.
2.) Be Careful With Old Or Used Furniture
You may find a great deal on an old dresser, bed frame or box spring that has been used in the past. Although the price of this item may be low, it may be bringing bed bugs into your home. Old furniture that has been sitting in a garage or storage area for a long time is the perfect place for bed bugs to live. Make sure to inspect and clean the items thoroughly before bringing it into your home. You may also want to have a pest control expert inspect it if you are unsure if you have gotten rid of all of the possible bed bugs.
3.) Clean Your Pets Sleeping Area
As much as we love our furry creatures, they are one of the biggest reasons that bed bugs are brought into the home. When dogs and other animals go outside, a number of different bugs and allergens can attach to their fur. When they come inside and lie down on their bed or in their favorite spot on the carpet, these bugs can jump off and find a nice breeding ground indoors. Regular vacuuming your pet’s bed and brushing them outside after a long journey at the park will help prevent the bugs from coming inside.
4.) Keep Suitcases Clean
If you travel a lot for work, or if you have just gotten back from a vacation with family, you should vacuum your suitcase inside and out before putting it back into storage. Hotels are one place where bed bug populations are extremely high. This is because people bring in suitcases and clothing from all different places that could bring bed bugs in, and the bed bugs will stay and breed.
5.) Wash Any Used Or New Clothing
Brining old or even new clothing into the house can be a welcome invitation for bed bugs that live on them to make your home their new nest. When you bring in any new or used clothing to your home, make sure that you wash them in hot water (if possible) to kill any bugs that may be on them. You should also use high heat in the dryer to kill them as well. The same routine should be done with bedding, as well.