How do you prevent bed bugs?

Well, there is good news and bad news.

The bad news is you can be as diligent as possible and you could still end up with a bed bug infestation. 

The good news is there are definitely ways to ensure you are more protected from the possibility of an infestation in future.

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Follow our bed bug prevention guide below and potentially save yourself from the emotional and financial toll of a bed bug infestation.

• Avoid salvaging furniture, especially beds and/or couches, from alleys and curbs and trash dumpsters. People often throw away their infested furniture and usually don’t post that it has bed bugs on it.

• When staying at a hotel, quickly check for the following signs of bed bugs.
1. Bedbug Droppings: Inspect the seams of the mattress and headboard. If you see clusters of small, black spots it could be bedbug excrement. Lick your finger and run it over the spot. If it smears, it is almost definitely a sign of bed bugs.
2. Casings: Bed bugs molt and leave light-tan exoskeletons which can be found on infested furniture. These look just like the bugs themselves. Check online for sample pictures.
3. When returning from travel, immediately wash and dry all clothing. Store suitcases in the garage if possible. If you travel often, you can purchase your own bed bug heat box. With these you can simply remove clothing, put your luggage in the box, turn the heater on, and wait three hours. After this amount of time, everything will be safe to remove. 

• Bed bugs are hitchhikers. Try to ensure visitors to your home are not dealing with an infestation of their own, especially if they will be staying with you for an extended period of time.

• If you buy second hand furniture, first check it for bed bugs using the information above. Unfortunately and inexplicable, I have too often seen people donate or sell bed bug infested items. Ensure you are not a victim of their negligence. 

• Make sure dirty sheets and clothing are kept in a bin and regularly washed.

• Keep all areas clean of clutter. Remove items from underneath the bed.

• If you purchase a mattress cover, do not take it off for at least two years.

• Pull the bed a foot away from the wall and make sure no bedding is touching the floor or wall. Bed bug interceptor cups or diatomaceous earth (DE) can be put around frame legs as a preventative measure. If Bite Back applied DE, leave it down for at least two weeks.

• If your home or apartment is connected to another unit, inform neighbors of any infestation. If they are experiencing problems, suggest they treat as soon as possible or contact your property manager. If all units are not treated, the problem may return.

• A single bug bite is common. Three or more in a close row that itch may be a sign of bed bugs.

• If an infestation is found, make sure it is treated as quickly as possible. Bed bugs multiply quickly and the more severe the infestation, the harder it is to eradicate it.

• Try to relax. While bed bugs are a nuisance, they are treatable and they carry no diseases. 

Any questions or comments, call Bite Back Bed Bug Removal, LLC at 617-655-6548.