Expert Advice On Preventing Bed Bugs

Bed bugs continue to pose serious public health issues in the U.S. and other countries. Moreover, the presence of these tiny, resilient creatures has become more widespread because of various factors. One of these reasons is the tendency of people to travel more. Another is insufficient knowledge or ineffective measures for preventing infestations. Bed bugs have also developed an increased resistance to common pest control practices.

Thankfully, bed bugs don’t spread or cause disease. But their bites can be painful and extremely itchy, and having them as unwanted houseguests can lead to sleepless nights, irritability and unhealthy living conditions.

If you suspect that you have an infestation, the following are helpful tips from the Environmental Protection Agency on preventing bed bugs:

Don’t go on a purge immediately

It’s not wise or practical to throw out your beds, pillows and other belongings that you suspect to have bed bugs. Simply throwing infected items away like normal waste can further spread the disease in your community. Moreover, these items can still be safe to use after treatment.

Approach treatment holistically

At the first sign of bed bugs, your instinct may be to attack them with pesticide spray right away. However, for safety reasons, applying pesticides should be handled only by a licensed professional. Avoid DIY methods as most can only make the problem grow worse. Moreover, while a fast response is helpful, it’s also important to be strategic about treatment. An integrated pest management strategy takes into consideration the specific conditions of the infestation, and therefore often leads to more effective and long-term results.

Start deep cleaning

The most helpful immediate action you can do is to start cleaning your home. Get rid of clutter to take away the places and objects bed bugs use for hiding. Thoroughly wash beddings, bed sheets, blankets, covers and bedspreads and dry them in high heat. Clothing and linen that touch the floor should also be given the same treatment regularly. After doing the laundry, make sure to clean laundry baskets and hampers as well. Repeatedly vacuum and sanitize carpets, floors, upholstery, bed frames and hard-to-reach nooks and crannies in your home. Make sure to dispose of the vacuum dust bag properly to avoid transferring the bugs to other areas in and around the home.

Protect yourself from bites

While treatment is still being done, you may use bed covers specially designed as a shield against bed bugs. These encasements will prevent bed bugs from crawling to you and biting you while you are sleeping. Even if the treatment is over, it’s best to leave these covers for at least a year.

Get help from experts

It’s easy for a bed bug infestation to grow more serious in just a short span of time. For your convenience and peace of mind, call your trusted Modesto pest control company for help. The staff at AAI Pest Control is ready to help you with your goal of preventing bed bugs.