Pests Don’t Go Away in the Winter

If you've been hearing rumors that bed bugs are invading your neighbor's apartment or there has been outbreak in your complex, keeping them out is vital. Bedbugs are tiny bugs that feed off of human blood. They exist in almost any living condition and can quickly multiple and wreak havoc on your life. The worst part is—they are extremely difficult to eradicate, so it's essential that you avoid getting them in the first place. Here are just a few tips that may help you prevent getting bed bugs in your home in the first place.

Avoid Contact With Someone Who Has Them

One of the best ways that you can avoid an infestation is to avoid direct contact with someone who has an existing outbreak of bedbugs. Bed bugs don't fly, but they do crawl. This means that they can slowly invade your home and personal space without you knowing right away. Until you get bit or see them crawling around on your mattress, you won't know you have them. If someone has them, avoid visiting their living space and sharing clothing or personal items.  

Don't Buy Used Furniture

You should never buy used furniture unless you know the house it previously came from doesn't have bugs. Bed bugs can survive up to 400 days without a human host to feed on. This means furniture being stored or on display can still contain bed bugs, even if it's out of an infested home or not being used. Avoid buying used furniture without thoroughly checking it for bugs and egg first.

Seal Your Apartment Airtight

If you've had a notice from your landlord that another tenant has a bed bug infestation, now is the time to tighten up bed bug security within your apartment. This starts with a few simple upgrades:

• Add a seal under the main door to your apartment
• Apply foam insulation into any gaps within the door, windows and outlets
• Purchase a protective cover for your mattress
• Vacuum the area on the outside of your door thoroughly each day

If you think you may have a problem with bed bugs or rodents, ask your landlord to have a pest control service pro come out for a complete inspection. Taking preventative action can help you prevent a future widespread infestation.

Clean Frequently

Simple cleaning of your wallboards and flooring on a daily basis can help catch a stray bed bug. Preventing a bed bug from crawling into your apartment can prevent it from laying eggs in your mattress or furniture. Don't forget to target baseboards—these are a common location that bedbugs like to hide out at. In addition to vacuuming just outside your door, vacuum your entire interior carpet and hardwood flooring. This could pick up any stray bug or egg that may have been dropped or carried into your home. Always be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag or dirt outside of your home so the bugs don't crawl back out of the garbage bag and back into your home.

Using several methods can help you prevent an outbreak before it occurs. This will save you a lot of time, money and humiliation in the future. If in doubt about bed bugs or other insects invading your personal space, contact a pest control specialist today!