Tougher than cockroaches, bed bugs can survive for months without feeding on blood and live through the most extreme of temperatures. In fact, bed bugs are know to survive in temperatures over 125 degrees Fahrenheit! They're also smart, elusive and tiny. They can hide behind wallpapers, inside mattresses and even behind electrical outlets. Like vampires, they only come out at night when it's dark and they can smell the carbon dioxide you exhale while sleeping.

 

While no method is foolproof for preventing a bed bug infestation, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of becoming their nighttime meal:

 

Inspect Hotel Rooms When Traveling

 

Before you open your suitcase, take the time to inspect mattresses and box springs as well as furniture crevices. Use a magnifying glass if you have trouble seeing tiny brown spots on coloured backgrounds. Waking up with pinpoint sized red bites anywhere on your body warrants a trip to the hotel office and immediate attention from the manager.

 

Bed bugs and their signs

 

The first step in determining whether or not you have bed bugs is to inspect your home for signs of the critters. While bed bugs can be spotted with the naked eye, you’re probably not going to find one out and about while you’re awake. Instead, you’re more likely to come across something they’ve left behind while moving between their meal host (you) and their hiding place.

 

Avoid Bringing Bed Bugs Home

 

Unpack suitcases in your garage when you arrive home and wash all clothes in hot water. Dry them on the hottest dryer cycle you have. Next, disinfect suitcases with no-pest sticky strips by leaving them in your closed suitcase overnight. Put used no-pest strips in garbage bags and leave them there for at least two weeks. Pesticides coating no-pest strips will kill remaining bed bugs.

 

Reconsider Buying Used Furniture

 

Unless you trust the person from who you are purchasing furniture, don't buy furniture or beds sold at garage sales or flea markets. You just never know the bugs that might come into your home with these furniture pieces.

 

If you do find bed bugs infesting your home, don't waste time with over the counter products. Call professional pest exterminators as soon as possible. They know how to quickly and effectively get rid of bed bugs using safe pesticides and high heat techniques.

 

To get more information on bed bug control, stay tuned to our blog space.