I have never had bedbugs, nor have I ever known someone personally who has had them (at least I don’t think so). But the recent news surrounding their infestations in homes and hotel rooms certainly has me concerned.
I am thinking ahead to when my family will travel to Texas to witness our son’s graduation from the Air Force. We will need to spend several nights in a hotel and already I have the heebie-jeebies.
I am happy to tell you that there is actually a bedbug registry in which you can check your hotel to see if there have been reports of bedbugs. But all of this bug talk has me wondering who gets them and how you can avoid them.
I have done a little research and this is what I have discovered. First, it doesn’t matter whether your home is clean or dirty, everyone is at risk of getting them.
These bugs thrive in hiding places that are warm. So no matter how clean you keep your home, it doesn’t mean you can’t get them.
Second, bedbugs tend to hide out in your clothing or luggage. So if you stay somewhere that has them, there is the risk you could take them home with you. They can also travel quite easily from room to room and floor to floor.
They tend to hide in the cracks and crevices of mattresses, headboards, bed frames and box springs. But they can be found in any other area of a room.
So you might be wondering how you can prevent a bedbug infestation from entering your home. Eliminating clutter is one way. They like to hide so there is more room to do so when your house is really cluttered.
You should also avoid buying used furniture and if you do, have a pest control expert examine it first before you bring it inside. They can check for any signs of the little buggers.
You can also put a plastic cover over your mattress to prevent bedbugs from hiding. Or if you already have some, they will be trapped.
Finally, periodically check your mattresses and box springs for any signs of them. Of course, if you are traveling, inspect the room thoroughly and even before you leave, check your luggage to be sure you don’t have any hitching a ride.
Don’t bug out…these are ways you can prevent them from entering your home.
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Photo by Medill DC in Flickr