Bed bugs are a lot like a sickness you can see. Just like the flu or any other contagious illness, bed bugs spread through human interaction. All it takes is one infected individual and a public space for bed bugs to get around. Let’s say your friend is having trouble with a bed bug infestation and decides to come over and visit you. Just them entering into your home puts you at risk for your own infestation. How is this possible? Let us explain.
How Bed Bugs Get Around
Bed bugs are often referred to as hitchhiking pests. This term is only partially accurate. Bed bugs do not stand on the side of the road and solicit rides from passing vehicles. They steal rides on items we carry around every day. A purse is their taxi, your bag their plane. Anything you carry with you when out and about can be used to help bed bugs get around.
Studies show that it only takes 20 minutes for bed bugs to transfer from one infested item to another. Keeping this in mind, try not to leave your bags or luggage in any one spot out in public for too long. By doing this, you greatly reduce your chances of bringing bed bugs home with you.
One common way bed bugs get into homes is on second-hand clothing and furniture. Make sure when shopping at second-hand stores to check items thoroughly for bed bugs and the signs they leave behind such as blood stains and dots of reddish-black fecal matter. If you suspect an item is infested, leave it where it is and walk away.
Do Bed Bugs Like Dirty Homes?
It is a common misconception that bed bugs only infest dirty homes. This could not be further from the truth. The only two things bed bugs look for in a home are places to hide and a reliable food source to sustain them. Assuming you live in your home and sleep regularly, finding food should never be difficult for hungry bed bugs who feed on blood. As for places to hide, bed bugs are small creatures and can hide practically anywhere. With certain infestations, bed bugs have even been found inside TV remotes and other electronic devices.
Hot Spots For Bed Bugs
Bed bugs can be anywhere as long as people are around, however, they tend to be more common in certain locations. Places like hotels, airports, and movie theaters are prime examples of bed bug hot spots. To find out if a place you are going is a bed bug hot spot ask yourself these two questions. Is this a place lots of people visit often and do they tend to stay in one place for long periods of time when they are there? If the answer to both of these questions is yes, then there is a good chance it is a bed bug hot spot. The only place you can be sure bed bugs won’t be is in a sauna since bed bugs die when faced with high temperatures.
The Best Way To Get Bed Bugs Out Of Your Home
Even the most diligent people can become victims of a bed bug infestation. If, despite your efforts, bed bugs are still found causing trouble in your Dallas home, we are here to help. At Greenforest Termite & Pest Control, we provide detailed, reliable, and effective treatments for bed bug infestations and would be happy to share our solutions with you.
Bed bugs hate our treatments, so we know you’ll love them. Give us a call today to schedule a home pest control treatment or commercial exterminator service visit for your Dallas property.