Bed Bug Prevention: How to Keep Your Home Bed Bug-Free
Bed bugs are persistent pests that can easily hitchhike into your home, making prevention essential to avoid infestations. While professional extermination is necessary to eliminate bed bugs once they’ve settled in, taking preventative measures can help protect your home, furniture, and peace of mind.
Below, we’ll outline effective prevention strategies to reduce the risk of bringing bed bugs into your home and preventing re-infestations.
How to Prevent Bed Bugs When Traveling
Bed bugs are commonly picked up during travel, whether from hotels, vacation rentals, or public transportation. To avoid bringing them home:
Inspect Hotel Rooms:
Before settling in, carefully examine the bed, mattress, box spring, and headboard for any signs of bed bugs, such as dark spots, shed skins, or live bugs. Pay extra attention to the mattress piping and plastic protective cups on box spring corners, where bed bugs often hide.
Keep Luggage Off the Floor:
Always use luggage racks or hard surfaces instead of placing bags directly on beds, carpets, or upholstered furniture. This reduces the risk of bed bugs crawling into your belongings and traveling home with you.
Be Cautious with Suitcases & Clothing:
When returning home, unpack outside or in the garage before bringing luggage inside. Wash and dry all clothing on high heat, and thoroughly inspect suitcases, checking seams, pockets, and zippers for any hidden bed bugs.
Routine Home Inspections for Bed Bugs
Even if you haven’t traveled or brought in second-hand items, it’s smart to conduct periodic home inspections to catch bed bugs early before an infestation spreads.
👀 Where to Inspect:
- Sleeping Areas: Bed bugs typically remain within 4 feet of the bed, so inspect mattresses, box springs, and surrounding furniture regularly.
- Bed Bug-Proof Covers: If you’ve installed a mattress or box spring encasement, do not open it unless it’s damaged and you plan to replace it.
- Furniture Near Beds: Nightstands, chairs, and baseboards should be checked for small black stains, shed skins, or live bugs.
