PREVENTING BED BUGS

Bed bugs are hitchhikers, so they typically come in on luggage from contaminated rooms in hotels or other places you might stay. If you notice a bed bug infestation, immediately talk to the hotel staff; be sure to isolate any clothing or luggage, and don’t bring it into your home.

In addition, you may notice these hitchhikers on secondhand furniture, such as beds and couches. Again, don’t bring them into your home.

It’s a good idea to use a protective cover to completely encase mattresses and box springs so that bed bugs have nowhere to hide. Choose a better quality one as it’s less likely to tear. In addition, if you’re doing laundry in shared facilities, always use plastic bags to transport your items to and from the laundry room. Bed bugs don’t handle temperatures above 120 degrees F for very long, so put your items straight from the dryer into the bag and fold them at home.

It’s also a good idea to reduce clutter, as this can provide hiding places for bed bugs. Regularly sweep the floor to remove any active insects, and caulk cracks and holes so they can’t get in. A door sweep helps discourage movement throughout the home.