Bed bugs have become a major problem throughout the United States in the last few years. More and more cases of bed bugs are reported each month, especially during the summer following vacation. This is due to the fact that bed bugs travel into your home on suitcases or even on your clothes.

Once bed bugs have found their way into the home from a hotel they can continue to spread. In apartment complexes, duplexes, and condos these pests can easily run from unit to unit, and multiple apartments in the building may need to be treated at once in order to completely remove the problem. They can also find their way home with your friends, infest your car, and even spread to rooms where beds are not found.

Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?

Bed bugs usually find their way into American homes following hotel stays. While you sleep or explore a new city, these bugs come out of hiding and sneak into your suitcase. They remain hidden there, and when you return home they start to settle in.

These pests feed on blood, and if they’re in your home the blood of you or your loved ones could be their next meal. These bugs feed by biting and then sucking away at your blood. A raised bump will appear on the skin where this bite is found. This bite will not wake you because the pest injects an anesthetic and an anticoagulant as they feed, preventing you from noticing that you’re being bitten.

Where Are Bed Bugs Found?

Bed bugs can thrive just about anywhere. It doesn’t matter if your home is clean or dirty, or if you’ve been staying at a 5-star hotel or a century-old hostel–bed bugs are still a threat. Bed bugs will live anywhere that humans do, but even humans aren’t a necessary addition to the home of a bed bug. Research has shown that these pests can survive for up to 400 days without feeding.

When moving into a new home you may want to consider having a professional pest control service inspect the property before you move in. If no signs of bed bug activity are found you can carry on with moving in, but if they are spotted treatment should be performed before any of your personal belongings are brought inside.

How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Getting rid of bed bugs is not as easy simply applying a spray or bait throughout your home. Pest control companies use specialized treatments to remove bed bugs from the home. Dramatically adjusting the temperature in your house is one way that these pest control providers are able to eradicate bed bugs.

Do not attempt to get rid of a bed bug problem on your own. Doing so rarely proves effective, and when you attempt these DIY treatments you do little more than give the pest more time to multiply. If you believe you have a bed bug infestation on your hand get in touch with a pest control expert right away.

Preventing Bed Bugs

There are several ways in which bed bugs can be prevented. When visiting a hotel, only sit your suitcase on the luggage racks found in the room. If you are unable to locate a luggage rack call the main desk and ask them to supply you with one. Sitting luggage or clothes on the bed or floor gives bed bugs a better chance to hop on board.

Consider sealing the clothes in your suitcase in a plastic bag, wash and dry these clothes on the highest possible setting immediately following removing them from the bag. This way if bed bugs are hiding within your clothes you can prevent them from infesting the suitcase itself by sealing them inside.

Don’t allow these pests to cause harm to you or your loved ones. Get in touch with a pest control expert that has experience in removing bed bugs as soon as you suspect that there may a problem within your home. Doing so can put an end to your problem as well as help prevent the spread of these hitch-hiking pests.