Bed bugs are blood-sucking pests that can infest upholstery, carpet, and bedding. Once they get into your home, they are incredibly tough to remove. You may be asking yourself how do bed bugs get into homes. The best way to prevent an annoying bed bug infestation is to understand how they get there in the first place. Once you understand their behaviors, you can take preventative measures to keep your home, family, and pets safe.
Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?
While you may have heard filthy hotels attract bed bugs, dirt is not what draws them into homes. Even the cleanest homes can end up with bed bugs. Bed bugs don’t care about the cleanliness of your home, they only care that you or your pets are sitting or sleeping where they live.
If you have any dirt or grime in your home, it gives the bugs a bit of camouflage, as they look like specks of dirt to the naked eye. Bed bugs arrive in homes through luggage, backpacks, and other fabric-covered bags where they can hitch a ride from hotels and other infested areas.
How Do Bed Bugs Get Into San Antonio Homes?
Bed bugs know how to travel, and they hop from a hotel bed to a purse, then they get into your car and home. Because they are so speedy, they can sneak into unexpected places.
Hotels and Inns
When you visit a hotel, pay attention to your surroundings. Hotels are notorious for being the home of bed bugs, and they can quickly jump into your luggage and clothing. They can also enter your home on the bags of friends and family who visit after spending the night in a hotel room.
Schools
If you have children at school, they can bring bed bugs home. Because so many children enter and exit school, the chances of all types of insect infestations are high. Bed bugs can jump into backpacks or get into your children’s clothing.
Workplaces
Many workplaces also have bed bugs, especially when employees share communal areas. Coat rooms and break rooms are common areas where bed bugs can move from one home to another.
High-Density Living Areas
People who live in apartment or condo complexes often find bed bugs spreading from one unit to another. The bugs are so tiny they can move into and out of electrical boxes and wall cavities. If you have a shared area, watch for bed bugs in the upholstered furniture or the carpet.
Used Items
All used items made of fabric can quickly become infested with bed bugs. If you buy used furniture, look closely between the cushions for black specks. Check it out before you put it in your car.
Used clothing can also be the catalyst that brings bed bugs into homes. Once you bring used clothing into your home, wash it in hot water and dry it thoroughly before putting it in your closet or dresser.
Bed bugs can live in old books, electronics, and items that provide a safe hiding place. Bed bugs do not need to eat often, so they can live for months before their next human meal.
What Should You Do If You Have Bed Bugs
If you believe bed bugs have entered your home, call Romney Pest Control for an inspection and extermination. With over ten years of experience, we provide prompt and effective pest control services. Removing bed bugs is not a DIY job, as it requires professional treatments. Contact us today for a free quote and to schedule an appointment.
