Five Tips for Surviving Bed Bug Season 2011
It’s late April, things are heating up and America’s growing bed bug population is gearing up for their biggest season in decades. This time of the year is known as bed bug season because they spread in the spring and summer months by latching onto vacationers as they journey from destination to destination. Plus, a bed bug’s metabolism speeds up in the warmer months causing them to be more visible as they seek food and shelter.
The steady rise of bed bug populations in major cities across the U.S. has even alarmed the Environmental Protection Agency, who noted their “alarming resurgence” and referred to them as a “significant public health importance” in a recent press release. A survey on the resurgence of bed bugs conducted by the National Pest Management Association found that 95 percent of U.S.-based pest management companies surveyed indicated that their company has encountered a bed bug infestation in the past year. By sharp contrast, in the year 2000 only 25% of respondents had encountered a bed bug infestation.
The bed-bug resurgence is mostly believed to have come from an increase in international travel. Bed bugs found in a hotel room in one part of the world can easily latch on to their hosts and make it back to stateside. Although bed bugs can cause health problems in people with allergies, the real problem comes from bed bug eradication. Eliminating bed bugs can be costly and may take more than one visit from an exterminator. In some cases the affected furniture and articles of clothing may have to be replaced.
Ten Tips to Survive Bed Bug Season 2011
1. Reduce clutter – Less clutter means fewer places for bed bugs to call home.
2. Check for infestation signs. Bed bugs are known to leave behind:
- Skin castings
- Feces stains that look like dark spots
- Blood spots on mattresses, sheets and pillows
3. Travel tips:
- Don’t leave your clothes in hotel room drawers
- Check your mattress and sheets for the aforementioned infestation signs in Tip # 2
- When you come home unpack your clothes directly into a washing machine and wash your clothes on a hot setting
4. Vacuum frequently – Thorough vacuuming reduces bed bug populations. Pay close attention to rugs, floors, bed legs and all furniture. Be sure to change the vacuum bag after each use.
5. Buy a bed bug protection kit – Bed bug protectors kits can prevent bed bugs from entering your bed and pillows. An ounce of bed bug protection is worth more than a pound of bed bug cure.
Purchase a Bed Bug Protector Kit
