Unpacking Tips to Avoid Bed Bugs

Everyday Prevention Tips

• It is important to be aware of ways to prevent bed bugs in your everyday life. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
• Vacuum suitcases after returning from a vacation.
• Check your sheets for tell-tale blood spots.
• Consider bringing a large plastic trash bag to keep your suitcase in during hotel stays.
• Carry a small flashlight to assist you with quick visual inspections.
• Never bring second-hand furniture, especially mattresses and box springs, into a home without thoroughly examining for signs of a bed bug infestation. You might consider having a pest control professional inspect the furniture as it is difficult to detect an infestation without training.
• Regularly inspect areas where pets sleep for signs of bed bugs.
• Bed bugs are elusive creatures, so it is imperative to call us to address an infestation.

Tips While Shopping

• As bed bugs continue to make a resurgence, they are showing up in more places, including clothing stores. Bed bugs can easily hitch a ride into a store with shoppers, so it is important to follow these tips to reduce your chances of bringing the pest home with you:
• When trying on clothing, be aware of any stains that seem unusual. These could be telltale blood spots left by feeding bed bugs.
• Inspect clothing carefully before purchasing. Even if you choose an item from an undisturbed pile, bed bugs could still find their way onto clothing. Pay particular attention to the inside seams, looking for any signs of sticky white eggs, shed skins and the bugs themselves. Notify the store manager immediately if you suspect the clothing displays signs of bed bugs.
• Check behind dressing room mirrors and any other crevices where bed bugs could hide – even wall sockets – before trying on clothing. Hang your clothes on hooks, rather than lay them across cushioned seats in dressing rooms or on the carpeted floor as these are safe and popular havens for bed bugs.
• Keep clothing in the store bag, tied and sealed if possible for the trip home. Shake articles out outside before bringing them into the house/apartment.
• Immediately launder the clothing in hot water or steam/dry clean delicate items.
• If you suspect a bed bug infestation in your home, contact Cody Pest Control for an immediate inspection. Why are bedbugs so hard to treat?
• Bedbugs should not be equated with filth or sanitation problems– in hotels or in homes, for that matter. Bedbugs are very elusive, transient pests. They are often found in other areas besides the bed. And they are hardy. They can live for several months without eating and can withstand a wide range of temperatures from nearly freezing to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Bedbugs can be controlled with vigilance, constant inspection and treatment by professional pest control companies.

What can a consumer do to protect themselves from bedbug infestations?
To prevent bedbug infestations, consumers need to be vigilant in assessing their surroundings. When returning from a trip, check your luggage and clothing. If you think you may have a bed bug infestation, contact a pest control professional. This is not a pest that can be controlled with do-it-yourself measures.

Bed Bug on Dime 

This photo shows the size of a bed bug in relation to a dime. As you can see, bed bugs are a small pest. Adult bed bugs are about 1/4 inch long, while nymphs (baby bed bugs) range from 1.3 mm to 4-5 mm.