Bedbugs infestation, Prevention and Eradication in your Home (Part 1)

Bed bugs are found in warm, semi-dark areas but most commonly in mattresses and bedding. Nearly invisible to the naked eye, these pests can thrive just about anywhere there’s a frequent turnover of occupants, mainly college dormitories, hotel rooms and even in a home.

While checking for bed bugs might not be part of your nightly routine today it’s still best you have a look on your bed thereby preventing bed bugs from infesting your home so you can sleep tight knowing nothing will bite.

How Do You Identify a Bed Bug?

Bed bugs can be tricky to identify. They’re small and sneaky, meaning it might make it hard to catch an infestation before it becomes an actual problem. If you do happen to get a good look at one, here’s what you should look for:

• Size: 1/4 of an inch long (about the size of an apple seed)
• Shape: Long, oval and flat
• Color: Brown – reddish-brown
• Other features: Two antennae and six legs

All the above characteristics are consistent throughout most bed bugs but note that younger bed bugs or bed bug eggs, can have a smaller size and a translucent, milky-white color.

If you’re unable to get a good look at what you think might be a bed bug, you can also identify a bed bug by the trace it leaves behind. If you think your home may be host to uninvited guests, thoroughly clean your home and change your bedding while looking for signs of:

• Rusty or reddish stains on bed sheets or mattresses (caused by bed bugs being crushed)
• Dark spots (commonly bed bug feces)
• Bed bug bites on a person or pet

Although a bite might not be the best way to identify an infestation (they’re often confused for mosquito bites or rashes) know that bed bug bites can raise welts and rashes in humans, as well as cause an intense itching sensation; however, their bite does not carry infection or disease.

How to prevent and end bedbugs infestation in your home:

• Avoiding item clutter in the apartment.
• Washing infested bedding and clothing with hot water for 30 minutes.
• Vacuuming infested areas thoroughly.
• Engaging the professional equal to none JOPAG HEP bedbugs guaranteed solution treatment.

Can bed bugs travel through apartment walls?

Yes, Bed bugs can move along and through wall voids, use plumbing and electrical chase ways, etc. Although not every apartment has to be treated, those adjacent to the infested ones should be after a confirmatory inspection had been carried out.

How do bed bugs travel from apartment to apartment?

Yes, Bed bugs can easily move from one apartment to another and can spread rapidly through small cracks and crevices through the walls connecting each room. Another way is them crawling through interconnecting pipes and entering your apartment.

How quickly do bed bugs spread in apartment buildings?

In most cases, bed bugs can easily travel from one part of the house to another in about a day or two.

How Do You Prevent Bed Bugs from Getting into Your Home?

Since the number one cause of bed bug infestations in your home is previously infected furniture and people, here are a few precautions you can take to prevent bed bugs from getting into your home.

Inspect Secondhand Furniture Before Buying

Buying secondhand furniture is a great way to save money when you’re looking to furnish your home on the cheap, but it can also pose a risk of bed bugs if not examined closely.

If you go thrift shopping on the regular, make it a habit of doing a quick inspection of the furniture you’re thinking of purchasing. For furniture, check along the seams of the upholstery for any sign of bed bugs or bed bug residue. As a rule of thumb, never purchase a secondhand mattress.

Even if it looks clean enough to bring home after purchase, give the furniture a good cleaning before placing it in your home. Store it in your garage or shed, vacuuming any furniture with fabric and upholstery and thoroughly cleaning with hot, soapy water if otherwise, be careful to check any crevasses like drawers or storage places.

Some sources might claim that a messy or dirty home can cause you to get bed bugs when in reality, even the cleanest home can collect a campground of bugs. The real problem comes from previously infested furniture or people.