The Environmental Protection Agency refers to bed bugs as successful hitchhikers. They can live on any kind of fiber, even cardboard, which means they are found in warehouses, courier’s businesses, hotels, and homes. Just about any environment could be susceptible to these critters. They can also go without their favorite food — blood — for long periods of time. A bed bug is a survivor.
People, however, have come up with innovative ways to prevent infestations. One of them is to cover mattresses and boxes with plastic. This is one reason why you will find many items protected by both cardboard and a stiff plastic wrap which is difficult to tear open. Clothing should be kept in bags if it is not in use regularly. The EPA suggests that hotel guests keep their baggage off of the floor and use the luggage racks provided instead. Clearly, these bugs can move from the carpet to baggage with disturbing ease. Do not allow piles of paper to accumulate inside where they can nest and hide.
This government agency also offers ideas for how to treat infested items once the bugs have been detected. Individuals usually know that there is a problem because they notice bites on their bodies, which appear regularly in many places. Light-colored fabrics show their presence more clearly than dark ones, so one might even spot these insects with the naked eye or a magnifying glass.
Vacuuming helps, but will not kill the insects. There are three ways to do this. One is to use chemicals. Most people are wary of using this form of insect control because pesticides are bad for the environment and dangerous to humans, so it is not advised that one take this route unless it becomes absolutely necessary.
Certain bed bug exterminator companies use heat treatment as a means of destroying bed bugs at all stages: eggs, adults, and everything in between. There is an electric heat-treatment which can be used to kill these insects in any environment without harming people or leaving anything behind except insect carcasses.
In the home, the FDA recommends using either heat or cold to get rid of bugs. For example, after washing (which will not kill many bugs), stuff your clothing or linens in the dryer. According to their website, the higher the heat is, the less time you have to run the dryer for. With some items, it is practical to use cold treatment. Wrap stuffed animals in plastic or seal them in plastic bags and put them in your freezer for a few days.
Finally, many people find that hiring a pest control company (recommendation – call bed bug exterminator Phoenix) is the most effective way of getting rid of unwanted critters. If so, learn more about what bed bug exterminator products they use, their methods, and how to prepare your home for their arrival. If chemicals will be used, you might want to consider taking a holiday or staying at a hotel for a little while to be sure that no one is put at risk from the toxins.