Bed Bugs: How to prevent re-infestation.

A bedbug infestation can take a long time, and a great deal of effort, to resolve. When you have finally managed to get rid of the pests, and have gone through all the stress and emotional turmoil it entailed, the very last thing that you want is to find that they have made a surprise return. However, this is exactly what happens to thousands of unsuspecting victims every year. Many wrongly believe that once the bedbugs have gone then the chances of them coming back are reduced, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. To keep bedbugs away for good, you will need to be aware of the early warning signs of an infestation, the ways in which they invade your home in the first place, and the ways to reduce their chances of getting into your bed all over again.

Don’t Invite Them In

One of the best ways for a home to become infested with bedbugs is if someone introduces them from another affected site. This can happen surprisingly easily, and could come from a friend whose house is affected, or from someone who has picked them up in an infested cinema of form of public transport, which is less likely. However, the most common method by which a person brings bedbugs back into the house is if they have recently traveled to a location which involved staying in a hotel or hostel bed. This could be the result of a trip abroad, or it could be from a trip within the country, but the risk of catching them and bringing them back is very real. For details of how to avoid this problem, see the separate article on avoiding bedbugs whilst traveling. If you know that a friend has bedbugs in their home, be careful when you go to visit them. Try not to take any bags or devices that could pick up a stray bug, although it is very unlikely (but not impossible) that the bedbugs will travel on your own clothes. If in doubt, always wash your clothes and dry them in a hot dryer when you get home. If, on the other hand, a friend is visiting you and they have a bedbug problem, it is a good idea to inform them of the ease with which they could introduce the problem to your own house, whilst taking care not to cause offence. If you ask them not to bring any bags or objects with them into the house then the risk will be minimized.

Infested Furniture

In addition to other people introducing bedbugs into your house, the other common method by which bedbugs can make an appearance is through already-infested furniture. This doesn’t have to be old furniture, or even look particularly tatty. In fact, even new items of furniture could harbor bedbugs. To minimize the risk of bringing the bugs home with you, make sure that you check the furniture before it enters the house. Firstly, look for visual clues, such as black or red specs, which are often easier to find on light-colored furniture. Then run your fingers along the seams of the furniture, underneath it, and in the label, which are all good hiding places. On beds, check the box spring if it has one, as this is also a common location to find them. Although not easy to spot, bedbugs tend to group together, which should increase the chances of coming across a few.

Encasements

A mattress encasement is a great preventative measure for bedbugs. If you are free from the bugs, you can wrap your mattress in a plastic encasement to prevent them from getting back into it in the first place, offering an extra level of protection. Although it is always better to put an encasement on the bed following treatment, it can also be used if you already have bedbugs in order to stop them from getting out to feed during the night. This will also prevents them from infesting other places in the house. There are many different types of encasement available, and some are better than others. Whichever type you buy, always make sure that the zip is fully done up, as even a tiny gap can let the bedbugs in or out.

Checking

The best way to prevent bedbugs from becoming a problem again is to keep an eye out for the signs. If you are simply unfortunate and someone brings them into the house unexpectedly, a good knowledge of what to look out for can alert you to the problem before it becomes out of hand. Consider doing a standard weekly or monthly check. If you have had a problem in the past then you should be familiar of the telltale signs of a bedbug problem before they begin to bite you. Cleaning could also be a help. Bedbugs and their eggs can be vacuumed up, and the less clutter there is in your house, the easier it will be to spot them. However, be aware that cleaning is not enough to get rid of an infestation, but is simply a good preventative measure and one that can provide you with an advance warning. As well as checking the bed, also check behind pictures, on shelves, and in books, especially those close to the bed, as these are the places that they are most likely to be found. You could even employ the use of double-sided sticky tape in tactical spots around the bed. This can help to trap the odd stray bug, which will alert you to the problem at an early stage.

Control

Biological and household treatments are recommended for a severe problem and they also prove an effective preventative measure. You may choose to use a household formula such as diatomaceous earth, a proven preventative treatment which is not harmful to humans or animals, and can certainly help to keep them away. This should be applied to the bottom of beds, legs, chairs, and other locations where the bedbugs are likely to walk, and should be considered a long-term treatment. You may also want to use one of the numerous spray treatments around the house, such as Best Yet, a top non-toxic spray.

Be Vigilant

Whatever precautions you take to prevent bedbugs from coming back into your home, remember that careful checking and a few simple preventative measures can save a huge amount of stress, worry, and money. The more people that take such precautions, the greater chance of success we will have in the global fight against bedbugs.