How Bed Bugs Get into Your Home

January 4, 2021
Bed Bugs

If you’ve got itchy skin and a series of red bite marks, you might have bed bugs. Don’t fret—bed bugs aren’t a sign that your housekeeping is subpar. Even the cleanest of homes can be struck with an infestation of these pesky little critters. Pest control technicians can eliminate the problem from your home. However, since bed bugs might come back again, you should be aware of how they got there in the first place.

Bed bugs are often transported on new furnishings.

It’s trendy to repurpose old furniture that you find at the flea market or consignment shop. It’s also a great way to save money while furnishing your home. Unfortunately, they like to hide inside furnishings. That new armchair you’ve brought home just might be hiding countless bed bugs. Always inspect secondhand furnishings carefully before bringing them home. Look for rust-colored spots, blood stains, and shed skin. If in doubt, don’t buy it.

They can hitch rides in your luggage.

One of the most common causes of bed bug infestations is traveling. Since hotels house people who travel there from all around the world, they are a prime spot for them. Before you settle into a hotel room, set your luggage on the luggage rack or inside the dry bathtub. Remove the bedding and inspect the mattress for signs of bed bugs. Carefully scrutinize the seams of the mattress and any upholstered furniture. Check the curtains and the headboard. If you see anything that arouses suspicion, pick up your luggage and leave immediately. You can ask for a different room or check into a different hotel.

Bed bugs like to inhabit thrift store clothing.

Just like secondhand furniture, thrift store clothing should be treated with suspicion. If you purchase clothing secondhand, you should immediately place it into a plastic bag and seal the bag before putting it in your car. When you get home, dump the plastic bag into your washing machine. Then, throw the plastic bag in the outdoor trash bin. Launder your clothing using the hottest water setting available to kill off any bed bugs that might be hiding inside.

They can visit from your neighbor’s home.

these little pests are known for being consummate hitchhikers. This is indeed how most infestations occur, but bed bugs are also good crawlers. They can travel over 100 feet in just one night. And since bed bugs are so tiny, they can fit into little cracks, floorboard seams, and ventilation systems. Shared housing units, such as apartment buildings and duplexes, are at a higher risk of bed bug infestations.

No matter how bed bugs got into your home, the experienced technicians at Essential Pest Control can get rid of them for you. We proudly serve residential and commercial clients throughout Tucson, Oro Valley, and beyond. Get in touch with a friendly associate at (520) 886-3029

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