Six Bad Habits That Can Make Bedbug Infestations More Likely
Bedbug problems in a home are truly awful experiences that need to be avoided at all costs. Therefore, it's important to know that bedbug infestations are often caused by bad habits.
By correcting the following bad habits, you can minimize your chances of developing a bedbug infestation in your home or apartment.
Neglecting to frequently vacuum floors around your home
One common hiding place for bed bugs is within carpets. In fact, bedbugs might be hanging out in carpets before they proceed to spread to beds and other furniture pieces.
Regular vacuuming can prevent bedbug infestations from taking root in a home. To be fully effective against bed bugs, vacuuming should be followed by disposal of the vacuum bag in a sealed container that is placed outside.
Keeping a home that's excessively cluttered
Clutter can raise your chances for a bedbug infestation because it gives bedbugs a place to hide and makes it harder for you to notice bedbug symptoms before the infestation becomes severe.
In particular, you should keep clutter away from your walls because clutter along walls creates a perfect hiding spot for bedbug communities.
Not having mattress covers in place
If you live in an area that is particularly susceptible to bedbug infestations, you may want to put mattress covers over your mattresses.
Mattress covers will ensure that your bed cannot become a comfortable home for bedbugs.
Never inspecting furniture pieces
Inspecting all of your furniture pieces for bedbug infestation symptoms is a good idea. However, it's especially important to inspect older or antique furniture pieces you bring into your home because they are the most likely to be affected by bedbug infestations.
Symptoms of bedbug infestation on furniture include bedbugs themselves, pieces of bedbug feces, and small portions of shed bedbug skin. Reddish or rust-colored stains on lighter colored furniture pieces are a common indication of bedbugs.
Purchasing used items without inspecting them before bringing them into the home
Any used item you purchase could potentially contain bedbugs or bedbug eggs. This includes not only furniture pieces, but also electronics, clothing, blankets, window accessories, and more.
Inspect any used items to make sure that they don't show any bedbug infestation symptoms. If possible, you should wash used fabrics you purchase in hot water and machine dry them before bringing them into your home to kill any bedbugs present.
Allowing animal infestations to develop
Animal infestations caused by birds or rodents can bring bedbugs into a home. Bedbugs often travel on the coats of animals.
Therefore, it's important to carefully seal your home against pest invasion to avoid bedbugs. You can do this by applying caulking along the outside or inside of your home where there are gaps or openings.
If you follow these tips and still get a bedbug infestation, contact a bedbug control service.
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