Bed Bugs Help

In my last post, we discussed how to get rid of bed bugs. In this post, we are going to discuss ways to prevent them from ever invading your home again. If I had only known just a few of these tips, my family would likely have not had to endure these pesky blood suckers.

Don’t think that just because you are not a frequent traveler that these will not apply to you. Remember, all it takes is one trip to an infested hotel, apartment, or home. You could become a target when you bring in a used couch or any other infested piece of used or even new furniture. Who says that a furniture store cannot get bed bugs?

Prevention Tips for Traveling

Entering the Room

• Do not EVER put your luggage directly on a bed. Put your luggage on top of a table. If the table is too small, put your luggage in the bathtub until you have been able to check the room.
• Look under the bottom fitted sheet and along the seams of the mattress. Look for dark spots that could be traces of blood, bed bugs, or feces.
• Even if there is a mattress cover, remove it and look directly on the seams and folds of the mattress. There could be a hole in the cover you do not see. Don’t forget to check the button areas.
• Move the mattress to one side and look directly at the top of the box spring. Look for the dark spots here, as well. Check for traces along the folds and seams of the box spring skirt.
• Check around the bed frame and headboard. Look in the screw holes and in any dark spaces formed when two pieces of the frame are joined. Check around any hanging pictures and in and around the nightstand.

Immediately leave the room and take your luggage with you if you find any traces at all. Make a report to the front desk.

Going Home

When you leave, it is important to put all of your clothes in a sealed plastic bag so you can take them directly to the laundry machine when you get home. Wash and dry clothes on the highest setting. For the clothes you have on, get undressed on a hard surface floor to capture any bugs that can fall off your clothes. Put these clothes directly in the wash. Inspect your luggage and other personal items for bed bugs. Vacuum your luggage and items that you cannot wash. Wash everything else by hand with hot, soapy water.

Bringing in Used Furniture or Clothing

Immediately wash clothes in extremely hot water (minimum 120 degrees Fahrenheit). Do not open any bags until you are ready to put them directly into the wash. After you put in the wash machine, check around the area to ensure none have fallen onto the ground.

When bringing in new or used furniture, inspect it carefully. Check the crevices, behind the moldings and other embellishments and check any cracks. Never bring home a used mattress unless you are absolutely sure of the source. Steam the furniture at 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bird and Bat Habitats

Eliminate any bird or bat habitats that are around your home. Bed bugs will seek refuge here, especially right after you have treated your home. To avoid having them stay in your yard just to come back in on the dog or your child’s coat, you have to get rid of these habitats.

Everyday Precautions

Taking simple precautions throughout your day can prevent these horrible bugs from coming into your home.

• Check your pets for bed bugs when they come in from outside. While bed bugs prefer human blood, they will settle for your pet. Once they get in, they will find you!
• Believe it or not, you can get bed bugs from a movie theatre, which is somewhere most of us go for a night out! Inspect your seat for bed bugs before you sit down. When you get home, throw your clothes in the dryer and spray your shoes with alcohol or vacuum them.
• Even the most prominent places can have bed bugs. While you are at work, a meeting, or appointment, keep your belongings off the floor and out of public closets.
• Before you enter your home from being anywhere, check yourself. Simply shake out any loose clothing and pat yourself down with your hand. Vacuum your shoes.

Just keep in mind, they can be anywhere. However, you do not want to become completely obsessed as this can cause stress and anxiety where there may not be a reason.

I am so glad we are finally free of those disgusting bed bugs! I have to say that although they say bed bugs are not too much of a health risk, I suffered from a lot of anxiety and at times depression. Not being able to protect your family can be difficult and can cause a lot of stress. I truly hope the information in these posts have helped you to fight against the bugs that have invaded your home.

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