Preventing Bed Bug Bites - How to Avoid Bed Bugs

There's no doubt anymore that bed bugs are everywhere. Yet if you thought bed bugs only settle in bustling cities like New York City or lesser lights like Dayton or Columbus, Ohio, well think again. Even the outskirts or less travelled places in the United States are infested with them too.

These bed bugs are not only found in residential homes. They are also lurking in hotels, public transportation, waiting under the seats in movie theaters, the changing rooms of retail stores, medical facilities, and any place you can think of where they can find human blood to feed on. And even if there are no human victims at present, these bugs can live without feeding for months.

You got it. That's how resilient bed bugs are. Another thing, these bloodsuckers do not discriminate.

Whether you are finicky about housekeeping or not, whether you live in a 2 million-dollar McMansion or just getting by in the projects, your average run of the mill bed bug doesn't care. They will strike you without any reservation if they sense your presence. However, while these filthy bugs are all too willing to visit and plague our homes and places we frequent, not all of us are really serious about getting rid of them.

While some people are watchful, others are blissfully unaware. What about you? How concerned are you?

Perhaps if you haven't had a bed bug infestation yet you really don't care that much. You don't get those itchy bed bug bites anyway so there's no need for panic. But are you going to wait until these bed bugs land on your doorstep?

Don't wait until bed bug infestation strikes. Then it's too late. Because the consequences are more serious than you think.

So you want to start learning how to avoid even one bed bug from haunting you and your family right now. First, look for any telltale signs. Adult sized bugs appear as brownish-red tiny insects about the size of apple seeds.

The nymphs are translucent and they often display a reddish glow after a blood meal. The eggs are about 1mm small and look like rice grains. Check for any of these on the bed frame, mattress, headboards, and furniture.

These bugs also love to lounge in small cracks and crevices so you may want to turn that flashlight on as you check them out. Other signs of bed bug infestation are tiny blood spots and flecks on the mattress and bed sheets. If bed bug infestation is bad enough, you would notice an unmistakable sweet aroma which smells like an old granola bar.

Since bed bugs are expert in hiding, detecting them in action is a real challenge. Hence why people have devised different bed bug monitors and traps. For instance the Vaseline trick involves coating the legs of the bed with Vaseline so when the bugs attempt to climb up, they'd get stuck.

This trick works but it's messy. A less slimy alternative is by using double-sided tape so the bed bugs get stuck on the tape should they try to climb into your bed. Some companies have also manufactured active bed bug monitors which are special devices used to trap bed bugs.

They basically emit carbon dioxide, heat, and/or scent which these bugs are attracted to. Curious as they are, the unsuspecting blighters then attempt to climb up the device and voila! They've just been trapped.

Next step in avoiding problems is to de-clutter your home. Although the bugs don't care whether your home is filthy or clean, reducing the clutter around the house can still help you unearth the areas where they might take refuge in. Travel is a very common cause of bed bug infestation.

If traveling is an occasional thing for you, you can count on the facts it's a well-won routine for these pests. They love to hop from one place to another clinging onto the luggage or on your clothes. Double caution must also be taken when you're coming home from a trip.

Make sure you carefully examine your luggage for bed bugs before bringing any of it inside the house. If need be vacuum your luggage before placing it in storage. Also, all clothes must go to the laundry.

Wash them immediately and put them in the dryer at the highest temp setting for at least 15 minutes to kill any stowaways. Other ways of avoiding bed bugs are. Examine second-hand furniture before bringing it inside the house.

If possible, don't settle with these hand-me-downs and purchase brand-new furniture instead. Avoid visiting friends which you know have had a past infestation. Unfair?

Yes. But you can't be too careful given what it costs to get rid of them. Inspect the dressing rooms if you're fitting clothes in retail stores.

And wash new clothes immediately too. A particularly effective approach is to cover your bed with a mattress encasement. This prevents even the most determined bed bug from infesting your mattress.

A mattress encasement also works in trapping or encasing any bed bugs hiding in the mattress preventing them from escaping. Eventually they'll die. Nevertheless, if you find bed bugs in your home then the best way to get rid of these vile creatures is to seek professional help.

Hire a good pest control company highly experienced in bed bug extermination because not all companies are. Also, one can't stress enough the importance of raising awareness of bed bug prevention. So stay informed and pass on what you know to family and friends.