If you were to imagine which pests you never want to find in your Merrimac home, bed bugs would likely be near the top of the list. Most people know that bed bugs are invasive and difficult to remove, and the thought of finding these tiny, blood-drinking creatures around can be disturbing to think about.
However, there are many misconceptions when it comes to bed bugs and how these infestations begin. While some people think that bed bugs just wander in from outdoors or are spread only in dirty homes, this isn’t the case.
Instead, bed bugs can be considered pest hitchhikers or stowaways. They will grab a ride on items like luggage and clothing where they will remain until brought into a new home or even into a business. Because of this, bed bug infestations can be found almost anywhere, including places that don’t have beds.
To help you avoid bringing bed bugs into your Merrimac property, this guide gives you tips on what to look out for when it comes to bed bug activity.
Where To Look For Bed Bug Stowaways
While it’s true that bed bugs can live in all kinds of places, there are some areas where they are more likely to thrive. These are generally referred to as bed bug “hot spots,” and you should take special care when visiting these places not to pick up any stowaways.
These hot spots include hotels, schools, laundromats, office buildings, and more. When bed bugs do grab a ride on clothing or luggage, they are only about the size of an appleseed. They are a reddish-brown color, but it’s common to see at least a couple of them congregated together.
To avoid picking up bed bugs in these areas, you can do the following three things:
- Transport laundry to laundromats in plastic bags
- When staying in a hotel, check for bed bugs around mattresses and other furniture.
- Avoid setting down your luggage or bags when using public transportation and in other hotspot places.
And of course, even with these tips, it's important to check your belongings when returning home.
What Should You Do If You Have Bed Bugs In Your Home?
While knowing how to help prevent bed bugs is important, the truth is that they are just plain difficult to keep out. If you spot bed bugs in your home, the best thing to do is try and address the problem right away. Bed bugs are invasive, and they will spread quickly. While the infestation might seem small at first, the pests will start to move from room to room until the entire home or business is taken over.
Because of this, you can save a lot of time, money, and stress by acting against bed bugs at the first sign of activity.
Can You Remove Bed Bugs On Your Own?
It can be tempting to try and eradicate bed bugs using DIY methods, but there isn’t much point to this. Bed bugs are difficult because they reproduce quickly and because they can keep coming back if even just a few bugs or eggs remain alive.
Because of this, the only way to remove bed bugs for good is with professional residential or commercial pest services such as Freedom Pest Control. We have the tools and experience needed to completely eradicate every single bug.
Request your free quote today online, or give us a call to learn more about bed bug removal services.