It's a common misconception that bed bugs only happen to "dirty" people or are attracted to "dirty" homes. Bed bugs do not discriminate in the type of houses they visit since it's usually an accident of circumstance that brings them indoors in the first place. If you've got bed bugs in your Salt Lake City home, there's nothing to be ashamed of. White Knight Pest Control can help. If not, then take a look at our prevention handbook to decrease the chances of ever seeing one in your home.
How Do Bed Bugs Get Indoors?
Bed bugs are hitchhikers. The idea that bed bugs come from hotels is a fairly solid understanding of how they follow people in and out of high-traffic areas. With so much turnover in guests, they could have a heyday dropping off bags and hopping into new ones. Bed bugs get into your home in these common ways:
- By crawling inside luggage, purses, or backpacks
- By clinging to soft upholstered surfaces or clothing
- By walking or crawling from different rooms in a building complex
- By already being inside second-hand furniture
It seems like, based on this list, that it's impossible to prevent an infestation. After all, how can you tell if bed bugs have gotten into your luggage? Thankfully, there are some methods to keep them at bay, even if you can't easily see them.
How To Prevent Picking Up Bed Bugs
Simply being aware of common bed bug transmission methods will go a long way in keeping them from your home. When traveling or shopping:
- Keep luggage on luggage racks and pull them away from the walls.
- Don't leave items, especially upholstered items, sitting on the floor or a bed in hotels.
- When returning home, thoroughly clean or quarantine your luggage by wrapping it in tight plastic and storing it, then immediately wash and dry your clothes on a hot setting.
- Before settling in when you reach a hotel, look for signs of bed bugs, such as smudgy red stains on the mattress, tiny white eggs with black dots, dark fecal spots that bleed like a marker, and shed skins.
- Inspect new and used furniture for the same signs before bringing it indoors. Also, check appliances where they could be hiding in any number of cracks and crevices.
Bed bugs, when they've already infested your home, are not easy to deal with. They're resilient to starvation, and extreme temperatures, so DIY methods aren't likely to work. The best prevention method is to enlist the help of White Knight Pest Control to make regular visits to your home. Catching pests early on could save you a lot of time, money, and stress.
White Knight Pest Control Is Your Salt Lake Bed Bug Prevention Expert
With pests as difficult to find as bed bugs, it's important to have someone on your side that can detect the early signs and squash an infestation before it becomes a major problem. White Knight Pest Control can help you stay on top of pests with our 15-point Protection System. Not only will we inspect each corner of your home and property for warning signs, but we'll also protect it from future problems and eliminate any current ones. No one is as thorough as White Knight when it comes to protecting your home. Don't let pests steal your peace of mind. Call or visit us online today for a free estimate.