What to do about bed bugs in our Florida homes and college dorms?

When traveling it’s common to pick up souvenirs for friends and family.  But sometimes bed bugs decide to grab a free ride in your suitcase or clothing.  College students also bring them home from dorms in their linens and laundry.

The National Association of Pest Management recently shared bed bug facts and some tips for preventing bed bugs from taking a ride back home with you:

• Bed bugs are found living with humans worldwide.
• Bed bugs feed on human blood to survive and reproduce, feeding roughly every three to seven days.
• While an immature female bed bug or a male bed bug will not cause an infestation in a home, all it takes is one pregnant female to lay eggs anywhere she wanders. It takes eggs only six to 10 days to hatch, according to the National Pesticide Information Center.
• Bed bugs can survive cold temperatures and go months without feeding. Drying out kills bed bugs in isolated areas more so than not feeding.
• With this knowledge in mind, people can prevent bed bugs from becoming a problem. The NPMA recommends the following bed bug prevention tips, particularly during and after staying in a public place.

Tips for the prevention of bed bug infestations

• Pull back sheets and inspect mattress seams for telltale bed bug stains. Inspect the entire room, including sofas and chairs and behind the headboard, before unpacking. Notify management of anything suspect and change rooms or establishments immediately.
• If you need to change rooms, don’t move to a room adjacent or directly above or below the suspected infestation.
• Keep suitcases in plastic trash bags or protective covers during your stay to prevent bed bugs from nesting there.
• When home, inspect suitcases before bringing them into the house and vacuum them before storing.
• Wash all clothes – even those you did not wear – in hot water if you suspect the presence of bed bugs and their eggs.
• Inspect yourself for any bites. While a bed bug bite may not hurt, it can cause itching and irritation. Presence of bites is a clear indication that bed bugs are around and need to be treated.

No one wants to suffer from bed bugs.  Be conscientious in your efforts to prevent infestations.  And if you have a problem, call Haggerty Pest Services in Boca Raton.  We have experience in getting rid of bed bugs.