They’re not attracted to dirt, they’re small, and they can’t fly…but they can bite! Bed bugs are commonly found in hotels and inns. They tend to crawl from the infested bedding and furniture into your luggage, ready to infest your home (and your body) when you return home. Once introduced in your home, they can spread easily from one room to another, and once spread, can take weeks to months to control. Luckily, you can prevent bugs when you travel and while in your home.

Here’s a few things you can do to get rid of bed bugs!

1. Inspect. Bed bugs most often hide near where you sleep because you are their food source. Also, remember that they tend to prefer wood or fabric over plastic and metal. When inspecting for bed bugs, check for live and dead bugs, rusty stains, small spots of red/black fecal matter, tiny cream-colored eggs, and pale yellow skins that nymphs shed as they grow. Look in cushions, carpet edges, loose wallpaper, dark cracks, headboards, etc.

2. Declutter. Cluttered areas are bad because it allows the bugs a place to hide. Cleaning regularly will make inspection easier and prevent bugs from gathering. Get rid of items that you no longer use, or that cannot be washed, heated or steam cleaned. If your mattress has holes or multiple tears, think about replacing it!

3. Vaccuum. Suck up those bugs, and their eggs! You may have to take the attachment off the vaccuum to really get in those deep crevices. The floor is only the start; consider vacuuming your mattress, bed seams, box spring, bed frame, joints and bed curtains.

4. Do Laundry. Wash and dry your infested clothes and bedding with warm water and high heat. Around 120 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. To be completely safe, consider washing and drying twice. For items that can only be dry cleaned, use a hot dryer for at least 30 minutes.

5. Steam. Steam cleaners emit steam at a minimum temperature of 100 degrees Celsius and bed bugs generally die at 50 degrees Celsius, or about 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Steam clean mattresses, upholstery and items that can’t be washed. You can choose a dry steam or a low vapor steamer that leaves behind less moisture.

Protect All Pest Control specializes in bed bug infestations! You’ll be on your way to a stress free and pest free house with our quick and effective services. Contact us at 770-212-9990!