How to Prevent Bed Bugs

Signs of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs can be tricky to detect, but recognizing their presence early is key to preventing an infestation.
Signs of a bed bug infestation include rust-colored or reddish stains on mattresses or sheets, often left by crushed bugs, and dark pinhead-sized fecal spots that smear when touched. You may also find shed skins and eggshells near mattress seams or furniture crevices, as bed bugs molt during their lifecycle.

In severe infestations, a musty odor caused by the bugs’ pheromones may be noticeable. Bites often appear as itchy red welts in clusters or lines, usually on exposed skin.

Bed bugs often hide in mattresses, box springs, furniture seams, and cracks near sleeping areas. If you’re unsure, visit our Bed Bug Identification page for more detailed guidance.

Where Do Bed Bugs Most Commonly Hide?

Bed bugs are experts at staying out of sight, choosing hiding spots that provide easy access to their food source—people.

During the day, they remain hidden in areas close to where their hosts sleep or rest.

• Mattresses and Box Springs: Bed bugs often tuck into seams, piping, and under tags. These areas are close to their nighttime feeding source and provide tight, dark crevices ideal for hiding.
• Bed Frames and Headboards: Cracks and joints in bed frames and headboards are common hiding spots. These areas are stable, rarely disturbed, and offer proximity to sleeping hosts.
• Furniture Seams and Upholstery: Sofas, chairs, and other furniture with fabric seams or cushions are popular hiding spots, especially if located in bedrooms or living rooms where people spend extended time.

• Carpets and Baseboards: Bed bugs can hide along the edges of carpeting, especially under furniture. Cracks in baseboards and nearby walls also provide refuge.
• Electrical Outlets and Picture Frames: Bed bugs can crawl into small spaces like outlet covers, light switch plates, or the backs of wall hangings and picture frames.
• Luggage and Bags: Bed bugs are commonly found hiding in luggage or backpacks, especially after travel, as these offer a mobile means to move to new locations.

What Attracts Bed Bugs

Even the cleanest property can come down with bed bugs! Once they’ve infested your property, though, there are several things that attract them to take up residence. They are not attracted to dirt or grime, but rather warmth and blood! As long as they have a host to feed on, bed bugs will infest any residence.

These pests also favor cluttered environments—not because of dirt but because the abundance of hiding spots allows them to remain undisturbed. Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers and can latch onto luggage, clothing, or secondhand furniture, making travel and used items common ways for them to spread.

If you suspect bed bugs in your home, it’s important to act quickly. Contact Active Pest Control for professional assistance to identify and eliminate infestations effectively.

Businesses at High Risk of Bed Bug Infestations

Certain businesses face a higher risk of bed bug infestations due to their frequent interaction with diverse individuals and environments.

Hotels and motels are among the most vulnerable, as bed bugs are adept at hitchhiking in luggage and personal belongings. With constant guest turnover, these pests can easily move from room to room, thriving in mattresses, upholstery, and crevices in furniture. Regular inspections, encasement of mattresses, and staff training to spot early signs can mitigate these risks.

Transportation services, such as taxis, rideshares, and buses, are also at risk. Bed bugs can latch onto passengers’ clothing or bags, making their way into vehicles where they hide in seat seams and upholstery. Regular cleaning and inspection of vehicles can help prevent infestations from spreading.

Dry cleaners and laundromats face similar challenges, as clothing and linens brought in from infested homes can become a source of contamination. Bed bugs can hide in the folds of fabric and transfer to other items. Maintaining cleanliness, using high-temperature dryers, and handling items carefully can reduce risks.

Adopting proactive measures like professional pest inspections, clear staff protocols, and public awareness is crucial to protecting these businesses.

Methods to Prevent Bed Bugs

Even the most well-kept, cleanest property can become the subject of a bed bug infestation. It can be difficult to prevent a bed bug infestation, as they’re often quite random.

However, there are a number of ways you can stay vigilant about protecting you and your family from bed bugs all year long! By staying educated about the very real threat of bed bugs, you can lessen the risk of having a problem down the road.

Discover more in our tips on how to avoid bringing bed bugs into your home or the steps you can take to prevent bed bugs in your apartment.

Thankfully, there are several ways you can successfully stay safe from bed bugs.

Easy DIY Tips to Prevent Bed Bugs in Your Home

• Recognize the signs of bed bugs. Look for fecal spots, blood spots, and bed bug bites.
• Be cautious of used furniture. Always thoroughly inspect second hand items before bringing them indoors. This is particularly important if you’re moving into a new college dorm! Shared living spaces, like dorms, are high-risk environments for bed bugs due to frequent turnover and close quarters!
• Cover your power outlets. Electrical outlets are ideal hiding spots for bugs. Cover them with a simple plug to eliminate their chances of getting in.
• Protect your mattress. Using a cover that is resistant to holes and tears can help protect your bed from bugs!
• Take travel precautions. Research your hotel, pack clothes in vacuum-sealed bags, and always store your suitcase above the ground.
• Regularly clean and inspect! Look for signs of bed bugs, vacuum your floor, check pet beds, and keep a clutter-free environment.

Natural deterrents, such as Diatomaceous earth and essential oils like tea tree or lavender, may also help repel bed bugs, but they’re not foolproof solutions. For more detailed guidance on natural prevention methods, visit our Can I Prevent Bed Bugs Naturally? page.

Professional Methods to Prevent Bed Bugs in Youe Home

If DIY methods don’t provide the reassurance you need, professional pest control services offer more robust solutions:

• Preventive Inspections: Schedule regular inspections from trained professionals to identify and address bed bugs early.
• Heat Treatments: Professionals can apply heat treatments to areas of concern, which effectively kill bed bugs at all stages of their lifecycle.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM): This comprehensive approach combines inspection, targeted treatment, and preventive measures to protect your property long-term.

Take Action Today

For expert assistance in bed bug prevention and treatment, contact Active Pest Control. Our professionals offer tailored solutions to keep your home and business pest-free. Request a FREE Quote today!

FAQs:

To keep bed bugs away, maintain a clean, clutter-free environment, regularly vacuum your home, and wash bedding in hot water. Using mattress encasements and sealing cracks in furniture can also deter them.

While natural deterrents like essential oils may provide temporary relief, professional inspections and treatments are the most effective way to prevent infestations.

Scents like tea tree oil, lavender, peppermint, and citronella are believed to repel bed bugs due to their strong odors. However, while these may discourage bed bugs temporarily, they are not a reliable solution for infestations. Professional pest control is the best method to fully eliminate and prevent bed bugs.

The main cause of bed bug infestations is their ability to hitchhike on luggage, clothing, and used furniture. They are not drawn to dirt but to warm environments with sleeping hosts, making any property a potential target regardless of cleanliness.

No, bed bugs are not caused by poor hygiene. They are attracted to warmth, blood, and carbon dioxide, not dirt or grime. Even the cleanest homes or hotels can become infested, especially if bed bugs are brought in through luggage or secondhand items.

Bed bugs’ main weakness is their vulnerability to high temperatures. Washing and drying infested items on high heat or using professional heat treatments can effectively kill them at all life stages. Their limited mobility and dependence on human hosts for feeding also make targeted pest control highly effective.