How do you get bed bugs?
There are a lot of misconceptions about bed bugs and most of them have to do with how you get bed bugs. Bed bugs are hitchhikers that will hitch a ride anywhere, anytime. There are places where they’ll be more likely to find them – such as in/around beds, for which they’re named.
Are bed bugs contagious?
Bed bugs aren’t contagious, so you don’t have to worry about getting them directly from person to person. Bed bugs use humans for a blood meal and then leave the person’s body. If someone you know has bed bugs, you may not want to visit their home until they have the chance to have it treated (just be mindful if you do, especially if you’re wearing loose clothing or carrying around any bags around with you, but you can still touch the person.
Finding bed bugs
Hotels, Motels, and Resorts
If you spend the night in a hotel or b&b, you’ll want to do a quick inspection around the area before you settle in. Most people get bed bugs from a hotel, resort, or motel – places where many people frequent, providing bed bugs with a lot of good meals. Bed bugs can easily sneak into luggage and be brought back into your home if you’re not careful with the inspection of your temporary living quarters.
Public Transportation
If you use public transportation, such as bus, airplane, subway, or train, be mindful about bed bugs hitching a ride back with you during your commute.
Guests
Guests that have bed bugs in their homes may unknowingly bring bed bugs into your home with them. That’s not to say your friends are gross, it’s just that they may have picked them up while traveling recently or weren’t aware that they were in their home. A good practice is to wash all bedding on the hottest temperature after your guests leave.
Children
The same principle about guests applies to kids. Kids that stay over at their friends’ homes are likely to bring bed bugs home with them. Make sure your child leaves their bag at the door and inspect it when they get back after a sleepover, especially the seams.
Work
Even if you work in a clean environment, you may still be able to carry bed bugs back home with you a coworker or the building you work in is struggling with an infestation.
Thrifting
If you pick up furniture on the side of the road or at a thrift or second-hand store, make sure to examine it for black streaks, shed insect casings, and blood stains. Bed bugs don’t just hide in beds, they can be found on almost any surface of furniture.
Bed bugs don’t equal dirty
Many think that bed bugs are correlated with filth and dirty living spaces but that’s actually not true. Bed bugs aren’t attracted to dirt and grime. They’re attracted to warmth, blood, and carbon dioxide.
Bed bug prevention
- Vacuum suitcases after returning home from a vacation or overnight stay
- Check your bedsheets regularly for blood spots
- Bring a large trash bag to put around your suitcase when you’re staying in a hotel, don’t put your suitcase on the bed
- Never bring second-hand furniture, especially mattresses and boxsprings, into your home without first examining for signs of bed bugs
- Don’t forget about pet beds, especially if they’re close to your bed! While bed bugs aren’t attracted to dogs and cats like they are humans, you should regularly inspect areas where your pets sleep as bed bugs may be located there, where it’s nice and warm
If you have an infestation, it’s get help ASAP from a professional pest control company, rather than letting the problem continue to build
If you find bed bugs in your home, don’t worry! Contact go2-pros extermination for quick relief. Our certified team can tackle your bed bug infestation without causing harm to you, your family, or your belongings. For safe, effective bed bug solutions, call go2-pros.
