If you are dealing with a bed bug infestation in Elizabeth City, you may be wondering – where do bed bugs come from? You may also be wondering how to get rid of bed bugs permanently, something that you can achieve with the help of professional bed bug control.
Where Do Bed Bugs Come From
While many individuals believe that bed bugs in Elizabeth City can only be a problem in dirty or cluttered homes, the truth is that bed bugs infestations can happen to anyone. These insects are skilled at infiltrating both homes and businesses, often spreading out undetected until the infestation has grown out of control.
Bed bugs typically find their way into your Elizabeth City property after you come into contact with them at certain bed bug "hotspots." These hotspots include places like hotels, train stations, public transportation, libraries, and schools. Any building that has a significant number of people passing through on a regular basis tends to be a prime target for bed bugs.
These insects hide in the clothes or luggage of individuals and hitchhike around as they search for new areas to live in and new hosts to feed on. Their method of travel is how infestations move from infected areas into your home or business. Below are a few bed bug prevention tips you can follow to reduce your chances of picking up bed bugs in these places.
- In hotels or other overnight accommodations, try to refrain from putting your baggage on the ground. Elevated surfaces, especially surfaces made of smooth wood, are much more difficult for a bed bug to climb and hide in your luggage.
- Check sheets, pillowcases, and the seams of furniture for reddish-brown or rust-colored stains. These appear as a result of bed bugs feeding; a large number of stains indicates that there is a large concentration of bed bugs in the area. Avoid staying in any building that shows signs of these stains.
- When traveling, store clothing inside vacuum-sealed airtight bags to prevent pests such as bed bugs from infiltrating the clothing and hitchhiking home with you.
Another major way that individuals pick up bed bugs is through infested secondhand furniture and appliances. There are a couple of things you should do before moving these items into your home.
First, place all secondhand furniture or appliances on a white sheet outside of your home. Wait a few hours and then check the sheet. If you see reddish stains or bed bugs on the sheet, the item is infested, and you should not move it into your home.
Next, check the seams and cracks of all furniture and appliances. You can use a flashlight or a gloved hand to inspect all small openings carefully. If you find rust-colored stains or signs of bed bugs hiding in the openings, don't use the item.
How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs Permanently
Due to their hitchhiking nature and small size, bed bugs are difficult to prevent. If you do end up with bed bugs infiltrating your home, call the home pest control professionals at Albemarle Termite & Pest Control right away for effective bed bug control. Our experts can thoroughly inspect your home and provide efficient solutions that will fully eliminate your pest problem.