Few household pests are as dreaded as the tiny little insect known as the Cimex lectularius, more commonly known as the bed bug. An infestation of bed bugs can cause havoc in a household because of their need to feed on human hosts and their ability to conceal themselves within tiny seams and crevices throughout the home. Although slower to reproduce than many other insects, bed bug eggs hatch within days and take just weeks to grow into an adult insect capable of reproducing. Because of their tiny size and tendency for nocturnal activity, these insects can grow their population significantly before their presence is even discovered in the home. Home and apartment dwellers who want to reduce their risks of infestation can use the following tips.
Pay attention to likely hiding spots
Bed bugs are notorious for hiding in the seams of upholstered furnishings, luggage, purses, and bedding. They can also migrate from room to room or apartment to apartment by traveling through cracks and openings in walls and floors. Households who want to reduce their risk of having a bed bug infestation in their home can do so by vacuuming surfaces more frequently and by laundering washable items more often using hotter wash cycles and dryer settings.
Reduce the opportunity for bed bugs to enter the home
In addition to taking steps to reduce the number of bed bugs that can enter the home by being more diligent about cleaning tasks, home and apartment dwellers can also help to reduce their risks of a bed bug infestation by reducing opportunities for these insects to be introduced into their home. Some common ways in which bed bugs are brought into homes include:
- close contact in public transportation or crowded areas where bags and clothing come into contact with infected items
- bringing infested furnishing and other items into the home from garage sales, thrift shops, or other sources of secondhand items
- bringing luggage into the home that became infested during a vacation or other periods of travel
Becoming aware of how bed bug infestations occur can help home and apartment dwellers limit their risks of experiencing this type of problem.
While preventing an infestation is preferable, it is not always possible for home and apartment dwellers to do so. Contacting a bed bug service at the first sign of an infestation in your home or apartment is the best way to limit the potential discomfort these insects can cause and restore your home to a bugless zone.