If you’ve never heard about the terrors of bed bugs before, consider yourself lucky. Bed bugs are small, oval, reddish-brown insects that infest homes across the United States. For the past couple of decades, bed bugs have become a major problem for many homeowners. These blood-feeding pests are known for causing stress, lack of sleep, and even anemia in severe or prolonged infestations. Avoiding bed bugs isn't easy, but the best way to keep them out of your Alabama home is by understanding how they get inside and what you can do to keep them out.
What causes bed bug infestations?
Bed bugs are interesting little pests that don’t invade Alabama properties in the same way that many other pests do. Instead of hopping, flying, or squeezing their way into your home, these small insects spread by hitchhiking on your clothes, luggage, or personal belongings. If you unknowingly pick up a bed bug hitchhiker and bring it home, you could have a serious bed bug problem within a few months. It only takes one bed bug to start an infestation, and once an infestation occurs, it can be incredibly difficult to get rid of them without professional help.
Why Traveling Increases the Risk for Bed Bug Infestations
- If you’re considering traveling this season, it’s important to understand that your risk of picking up bed bugs is higher. Bed bugs can be found just about anywhere that has a lot of human activity. The influx of people coming and going from homes, lodging places, hotels, airports, and other public spaces creates a greater chance for bed bugs to spread. These blood-feeding insects seem to spread like wildfire when the holiday season comes around, which is why you should keep an eye out for bed bugs when you travel. There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of picking up bed bugs. Keep these bed bug-prevention tips in mind this holiday season while traveling from place to place.
- Inspect your hotel or motel room for signs of bed bugs before staying the night. If any signs are present, ask to be moved to a different room, or stay at a different establishment. Bed bug infestation signs include blood spots on bedding, small reddish-brown excrement stains covering sheets, tiny white eggs, and live or dead bed bugs.
- Avoid setting your bags and belongings on the floor of public spaces. Bed bugs are much more common in areas that many people travel through. Airports, libraries, movie theatres, schools, malls, public transportation, hotels, and other public areas are where you are most likely to pick up bed bugs.
- When you return home after traveling, unpack all your clothing, bags, and other small belonging directly into your washer and wash on the highest heat setting. If any bed bugs were on your belongings, the heat should kill adult bed bugs, nymphs, and eggs.
- Inspect your luggage for bed bugs or their tiny white eggs when you return home. Be sure to check in zippers, pockets, and creases. If you can throw bags in the dryer for 30 minutes on high heat, this will kill bed bugs. Also rubbing alcohol rubbed on bed bug eggs will kill them.
- If you bring home a piece of used furniture, inspect it for signs of bed bugs before bringing it inside. Many bed bug infestations start when bed bugs hide in used furniture and homeowners bring them into the home.
If you believe bed bugs have infested your Alabama home, contact the professionals here at Havard Pest Control immediately. We will inspect your home thoroughly to identify the exact location of your bed bug infestation, then we will work with you to discuss what treatments would work best for your property. Our advanced methods of bed bug treatment and control will ensure that your entire home is bed bug-free. For more information about our bed bug treatments, or to schedule a free inspection, reach out to us today.