Bed Bugs: How to Prevent Them From Traveling Home With You

Bed bugs can turn sweet dreams into itchy nightmares. If you have recently returned from a trip, and wake up to find yourself itching all over, then you might have a case of bed bugs. 

Don’t panic. Our handy guide will show you not only the signs of bed bugs but how to prevent them so you can sleep soundly once again.

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are among the most annoying pests that can invade the home. These pesky bugs are attracted to people, carbon dioxide, and blood. They enjoy living in your mattress and other warm and dark areas that have heavy foot traffic.

Bed bugs can also habituate in bed frames, curtains, drawers, cracks, and furniture with soft upholstery.

They have a horrible habit of hitchhiking home with you if you have encountered them while sleeping away from home.

How to Spot a Bed Bug

Although they don’t carry diseases, they inflict nasty bites that cause rashes, itching, and more severe reactions if you are allergic to their bites. Here are some ways you can determine if your pest is a bed bug:

• Bed bugs are a dark reddish-brown color
• Bed bugs have an antenna and 4 legs
• They are quite long and flat with an oval shape
• They are bigger than you might think - about ¼ of an inch

Bed bug eggs are more of a white colour and are smaller, but they are still possible to spot. Bed bugs also leave clues if they are lurking. Watch out for red stains on clothing, sheets, or bedding, bed bug feces (tiny dark spots), and, of course, itchy bites on the skin.

Although there are some bed bug risks, bed bugs (unless you are severely allergic to their bites) aren’t very harmful. But they can be very irritating.

Although most people assume they only bite at night, this is actually incorrect. They can be just as active during the day.

How to Prevent Bed Bugs From Coming Home With You

Bed bug prevention isn’t as hard as you may think. Typically, bed bugs love dirty laundry. They are attracted to the smell of humans, and that scent is stronger in our unwashed clothing and bedding. 

If you are returning home from a trip, it is essential that you keep any dirty clothing in an airtight plastic bag. The bugs cannot penetrate this, so they will be unable to nestle in your clothes.

When you get home, don’t unpack your bags in bedrooms or living areas, and never place your luggage on your bed. Instead, unpack in a room such as a garage, kitchen, or laundry room. 

As these pests can live for weeks, and even months, without eating, it is important to make sure you wash and dry all your clothes on high heat as soon as you get home. This should kill them off and prevent them from spreading around your home. 

Once all of your clothes are taken care of, vacuum inside your luggage, getting into all the crevices, and empty the contents into an outdoor trash can.

Get Rid of Bed Bugs for Good

If bed bugs are wreaking havoc in your home, then it might be time to think about bed bug extermination. 

Get in touch with us today, and we will do the dirty work for you. Our team can help exterminate bed bugs and any other pesky insect issues you might be having at home.