I'm sure everyone is familiar with the famous phrase..... "Good night! Sleep tight! Don't let the bedbugs bite!" Many people memorize that old saying with warm memories from their childhood. Perhaps your mother said that to you when she tucked you in at night, or maybe it's a phrase that you say to your own children when you tuck them in yourself. However the harsh reality of bedbugs is anything but a delight! I have been an exterminator for many years, and the number of bed bug service calls has more than quadrupled over the past few years, and every year that number increases greatly!
So where have all the bedbugs come from recently? No one can be a hundred percent sure. However, one very good possibility is the fact that people nowadays are traveling now, more so than ever. Bedbugs have long been an issue for some time in foreign countries, particularly in Europe. However, due to heavy travel they are becoming more and more common worldwide!
Bedbugs aren't something that just shows up in your house one day out of the blue. Nope, if you have bed bugs in your house, it is probably because they were brought there from somewhere else. Hotels, airplanes, moving trucks, and even furniture stores are all very common places where most people acquire these vicious little pests! These are all places where there is a constant cycle of luggage, belongings and other merchandise from all over the world, which greatly increases the possibility of a bedbug infestation in these types of places. This of course, in turn increases your chance of picking up these little guys and taking them back to your own home.
So the question still stands. "What can I do to prevent from getting bedbugs?" Well the best prevention is to not let them get to your house in the first place. Anytime you travel, bring home new furniture, rent a moving truck, or stay anyplace other than your own home, it's very important to always do a thorough check as soon as possible. Take the time to check everywhere! Bedbugs are nocturnal, very small, and somewhat camouflaged. So you must check out all of their favorite hiding places, and look closely, because they can very easily be overlooked.
It is important to check everywhere! Do not leave any stone unturned! Be sure to check all seems and folds on mattresses, couches and chairs. And don't forget to check the rest of the room as well. Any furniture throughout the room also needs to be checked. Dressers, nightstands, tables, and even appliances are all very common hiding places for bedbugs. So check everything very thoroughly! And last but not least, before arriving back at home, be sure to check all of your luggage and belongings as well! Bedbugs are one souvenir that you definitely do not want to bring back home with you!
I have been an exterminator for some years no. Many believe that such tactics as keeping your bed pulled away from the wall, sealing up tiny cracks in the room, and keeping your bedding washed and clean on a regular basis will prevent you from getting bedbugs. This is False! While that WILL help to minimize the bed bugs in your bed, that doesn't mean that they can't still infest the rest of the room, Another false and rather silly misunderstanding about bedbugs is the fact that they will only live in your bed. But the fact of the matter is they CAN live anywhere and they WILL find hiding and breeding places regardless of these silly precautions. The only true preventative for bedbugs is to do thorough searches as explained to be sure you are not bringing them into your house in the first place.
I know going over this procedure every time you find yourself in a scenario where you are at high risk for contracting bedbugs can be somewhat monotonous. However, it is definitely worth taking the extra time to do the inspection, and do it right! Anybody who has had a bedbug problem in the past will tell you that it is definitely not something that they would ever want to experience ever again! Once your house is infested, they are next to impossible to get rid of on your own. The best remedy for removal is to just leave it to a trained professional. However, treatment for bedbugs is usually very extensive as well as expensive! So the best treatment plan is to not get them in the first place! Follow these few steps for preventing bedbugs in your home and you can be sure that you can "sleep tight" every night!