Protection against bed bugs
Once they have established themselves, getting rid of them can be both challenging and expensive. By taking preventive measures and staying vigilant, you can effectively reduce the risk of an infestation.
How do you work proactively against bed bugs?
Proactive measures against bed bugs involve taking steps to prevent introductions from developing into infestations.
How do bed bugs find you?
How do I avoid bed bugs when traveling?
How do I avoid bed bugs at home?
My neighbor has bed bugs, what should I do?
Protect against bed bugs
To proactively protect against bed bugs, take preventative measures to stop a few bed bugs from developing into an infestation. Regular inspections, monitoring with traps, using dogs for detection, and protecting mattresses with encasements are all important. Keep luggage off the floor, seal cracks and crevices, and reduce clutter to make environments less inviting. Diatomaceous earth (DE) can also help by dehydrating bed bugs and stopping reproduction.
Bed bugs find hosts through the CO2 we exhale, and by detecting warmth and scent when they get closer. When traveling, inspect rooms carefully for signs of bed bugs and avoid placing luggage on the floor or bed. If you suspect bed bugs at home, minimize clutter and use mattress encasements. Wash or dry clothing at 140°F (60°C) or freeze items at -0.4°F (-18°C) for 12-48 hours.
If your neighbor has bed bugs, inspect your home, seal cracks in the walls, avoid accepting items from them, and use traps. Make sure your neighbor hires an exterminator, and inform property management for building-wide action.