Rarely do homeowners think about bed bugs until after an infestation has taken place. Here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, bed bugs are certainly prevalent.
So what exactly can you do to prevent an infestation in your residence? Here are some tips for protecting your home from bed bugs, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency:
- Use a protective cover to eliminate hiding spots on mattresses and box springs – Here’s the thing: the light color of a cover makes it much easier to see bed bugs. Just remember to purchase a high-quality encasement that won’t tear after a short amount of time. In addition, take the time to check the cover every now and then for holes. Should you notice bed bugs even with the protective cover, contact an exterminator immediately.
- Stick to a cleaning schedule – Bed bugs aren’t exactly stagnant creatures. They like to travel on furniture, bedding, luggage, boxes, clothing, and other everyday items. That’s why it’s imperative to clean your house regularly. By reducing all the clutter, you effectively reduce hiding places for these pests. One more piece of advice here: be sure to incorporate vacuuming into your cleaning routine.
- Be mindful when using shared laundry facilities – Just because you might not have your own laundry machine doesn’t mean you can’t avoid bed bugs. Our exterminator recommends transporting items to be washed in plastic bags. Then remove clothes from the dryer and place directly into the bag (a dryer on high heat can kill bed bugs). You can hold off on the folding until you get home.
- Try to isolate your unit if you live in a multi-family home – There are a few things you can do in this situation. The first is to install door sweeps on the bottom of doors to discourage movement into hallways. Another idea is to seal any cracks and crevices around baseboards and light sockets. This helps prevent any bed bugs from making their way through wall voids.
- Think about purchasing a portable heating chamber – Have you been searching for an effective way to get rid of bed bugs? A portable heating chamber just might do the trick. Just be sure to follow the directions and understand these devices are not regulated by the EPA. If you have any questions regarding your portable heating chamber, feel free to contact a local bed bugs pest control company.
How to Prevent Bed Bugs for Good
Do you suspect that an infestation has occurred inside your home? Time is of the essence when it comes to bed bugs. Without professional bed bug treatment, the infestation may become even more of an issue.
DFW residents have relied on the experts at Tom Samples Pest Control for decades. You can count on our bed bug removal team to identify the source of the infestation and exterminate the pest for good.
Don’t make the mistake of assuming every bed bugs exterminator performs the same quality of work. See what Tom Samples can do for your family. Request a free estimate today.