Bed bugs are small, flat, and parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and other mammals. They can be tough to get rid of once they have taken up residence in your home. The best way to prevent a bed bug infestation is to take steps to avoid bringing bed bugs home. Termite pest control Sunshine Coast also covers bed bugs in your home.

After traveling, inspect your luggage and clothes.

Put your luggage in a plastic bag while you inspect it. Before entering your house, remove clothing from the suitcase, put them in the bag, and wash or dry clean all clothes. If you cannot wash or dry clean them immediately upon returning home, store them in a sealed plastic bag until you are able to do so.

Carefully inspect furniture before bringing it into your home.

If you buy used furniture or find some on the side of the road, carefully examine it for signs of bed bugs before bringing it into your house. Don’t buy used mattresses if you can help it — they are nearly impossible to disinfect. Check hotel beds for signs of bed bugs while you’re traveling as well.

Avoid clutter in your home that gives bed bugs places to hide.

Get rid of unnecessary clutter in and around your home; this will make it easier to find any bed bugs that may get inside.

Here are some tips to help you avoid bed bugs and keep them from coming home with you:

Wash all new clothes in hot water before wearing.

When traveling, inspect the hotel room mattress, box spring and headboard. Don’t unpack until you have done so. If you find or suspect bed bugs, ask to be moved to another room or find a new hotel.

When traveling, inspect your luggage carefully before bringing it into your home.

Check items that may be brought into your home such as used furniture or mattresses, or clothes and other items bought at thrift stores or yard sales, for signs of bed bugs. Avoid bringing them into your home if they show any signs of infestation.

The spread of bed bugs is on the rise in the United States, but there are things you can do to reduce your risk of getting them. Learn about how to prevent bed bugs from infesting your home or hotel room when traveling.

Before you travel, check online for recent reports of bed bugs at your destination and in nearby hotels.

When traveling, put all luggage on racks off the floor. Keep luggage away from beds and furniture, and don’t set it on the carpet near beds.

Keep out of rooms with a strong chemical smell or rooms that have been recently sprayed for bugs.

Bed bug infestations are on the rise, but the good news is they can be prevented. The key to prevention is a combination of monitoring, exclusion, sanitation and education. Here’s a look at each of these areas and what you can do to protect yourself from bed bugs:

Monitoring:

Regularly inspect your home for signs of bed bugs. If you have a mattress encasement, inspect it as well.

Exclusion:

To help prevent bed bugs from entering your home or business, use door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged window screens. Keep doors closed when not in use and avoid setting items against walls or on the floor in public places where bed bugs may be living. Vacuum regularly and store suitcases away from sleeping areas when not in use.

Sanitation:

Keep clutter in your home to a minimum – especially under beds where bed bugs tend to live and hide. Regularly wash sheets and clothing in hot water, dry on high heat for 30 minutes, or dry clean them if possible. Avoid leaving clothes on the floor or furniture where bed bugs could hide. Wash all stuffed animals periodically too.

Education:

Bed bug bites resemble other insect bites, so it’s important to learn how to identify them. Learn more about educating yourself with different kind of pests that possibly living in your home.