Bed bugs are considered one of the peskiest pests in the world. These tiny bloodsuckers are usually smaller than a pencil eraser, but they are smart, tough, and reproduce rapidly. They know where to hide to avoid getting detected, and they can survive for months without feeding. One female bed bug can lay about 500 eggs in her lifetime, which makes these insects one of the most difficult kinds of pests to get rid of.
Having bed bugs at home is an extremely irritating experience. They like to feed on dead skin and areas of the human body with little hair. What’s worse is that these tiny pests are also known for causing several health problems including allergies, itching, swelling, and insomnia.
To eliminate the annoyance and dangers brought by bed bugs, here are some effective ways to prevent and eliminate a bed bug infestation in your house:
1. Be aware of the signs
This seems like an obvious thing to do, but many people fail to prevent bed bugs from spreading because they don’t know how to spot the signs of an infestation. Some of the most common indications include unwarranted bed bug bites, blood stains on your sheets, dark or rusty spots on your mattresses and walls, and an offensive, musty odour in your room or any area of your house.
Bed bugs are messy creatures that usually leave behind evidence of their dwelling on your clothes, sheets, and pillowcases. If you are starting to notice the signs at areas of the house where bed bugs are most likely to thrive, it’s best to seek help from pest control companies like PestClinic as soon as possible.
2. Do your laundry regularly
According to studies, bed bugs are more inclined to reside in dirty clothes than in clean ones. These tiny insects are drawn to the smell of soiled clothes hanging around or left on the floor, so make sure you put them in the laundry straight away.
Aside from dirty clothing, bed bugs also love residing in unwashed bed sheets, blankets, and bedspreads. Clean your hampers and other laundry containers as well, as bed bugs and their eggs can also hide in them.
3. Carefully examine second-hand furniture before buying
Second-hand pieces of furniture can be a bargain purchase, especially if they’re still in pristine condition. However, they can also contain something that you would never pay for – bed bugs!
Bed bugs are known to reside in cloth sofas and bed frames. Particularly, mattresses have the highest chance of harbouring these nasty tiny insects. Hence, before making any purchase from a thrift shop, it’s essential to inspect the furniture first for any signs of bed bugs and subject your newly bought furniture to thorough cleaning before placing it in your home. The same rules apply to any existing furniture you have.
4. Keep your space clean
Cleanliness deters most pests, including bed bugs. A dirty, cluttered home provides more places for bed bugs to hide. In addition, clutter makes it more difficult to locate and eliminate them completely. By maintaining and cleaning your house regularly, you’re leaving bed bugs with a lower chance to invade your space.
Conclusion
Bed bugs are some of the most unpleasant guests you would never want in your home. Because of how fast they reproduce, it’s important to take immediate action whenever you notice any sign of their presence.
If you’ve found bed bugs in your home and struggle to get rid of them completely, you can count on our team of experts at PestClinic to conduct a thorough inspection and employ effective solutions in a safe and reliable manner. For more information about our pest control solutions, do not hesitate to call us at +65 6397 5677.
