Protecting Your Home from Bed Bugs – 6 Essential Tips
In light of recent news articles about the prevalence of bed bugs, it’s crucial to take proactive steps in safeguarding your home and knowing how to handle bed bug infestations if they ever arise.
Whether you’re a tenant or a homeowner, understanding how to prevent and address bed bug issues is essential for maintaining a clean, comfortable and pest-free living space.
In this blog post, we’ll provide you with advice on avoiding bed bug infestations in your home and what to do if you discover bed bugs on your property. Let’s dive in!
Understanding the Risks
If you are more than a month into your tenancy, it’s important to note that any bed bugs found at this point were likely not present in egg form or otherwise when you moved into the property.
Most bed bugs entering the property now are probably brought in accidentally, such as on clothing or belongings after travelling by public transportation. To effectively address this issue, consider these practical steps:
1. Wash and Dry on High Heat
If you suspect that you may have brought bed bugs into your home, wash your bedding and clothes on a hot cycle, at least 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit), and then tumble dry them on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes if you have access to a tumble dryer. High temperatures can help eliminate bed bugs and their eggs.
2. Freeze Infested Items
Another effective method for dealing with bed bugs on clothes and bedding is to put them in the freezer for a few hours before washing. Extreme cold can also kill these pests.
3. Maintain a Clean Environment
Regular cleaning and vacuuming are essential for preventing bed bugs. Make sure to empty the vacuum quickly into an EXTERNAL bin with a lid after each use, as bed bugs can survive in vacuum dust and potentially escape. Cleaning in a houseshare can be a contentious subject, so check our blog on how to tackle it as a team – House share Housework Hacks
4. Minimize Clutter
Bed bugs thrive in clutter, so it’s important to keep your sleeping and living areas as clutter-free as possible. By reducing hiding spots, you can make it more challenging for them to establish a presence in your home. Inspired by Stacey Solomon and her team on the new BBC programme ‘SORT YOUR LIFE OUT’, we have put together some decluttering tips to make your room, bathroom and kitchen allocation feel less cluttered, more organised and potentially even save you some money in the process. Check it out – SORT YOUR LIFE OUT! – The art of decluttering & organisation
5. Inspect Furniture
If you’re considering bringing secondhand furniture into your home, take the time to thoroughly inspect it for any signs of bed bugs. This includes checking seams, crevices, and any other potential hiding spots.
6. Exercise Caution with Luggage and Clothing
If you’ve recently travelled or received clothing from a source with a potential bed bug infestation, be cautious. Inspect your luggage and items carefully before bringing them indoors. Always store any luggage in a sealed thick bin bag
When the Infestation is Unmanageable
If you discover that you already have an unmanageable number of bed bugs in your home, it’s time to seek professional help. We highly recommend the team at PestTech. A pest control company can fumigate the affected areas, but keep in mind that this will typically come at your own cost. It’s always best to prevent bed bugs as much as possible in the first place, so be proactive in checking clothing and luggage before entering your property. If you are one of our housemates and you discover bed bugs, call our team immediately on 01233 367 367 so we can prevent the spread in the house and remove the pests immediately.
In conclusion, bed bugs can be a common nuisance in urban environments, but with the right knowledge and preventive measures, you can avoid the stress and cost of dealing with an infestation. By following the advice and tips mentioned above, you can protect your home and maintain a pest-free living environment.
Regular inspection, cleanliness, and vigilance are your best allies in the battle against bed bugs. Stay informed and proactive to keep your home bed bug-free.
