We’ve all heard bed bug horror stories and, until it happens to us, it’s difficult to know how to deal with them. Once your home is infested, it can take weeks to remove the pesky pests. But like most things, prevention is cheaper than the cure. And there are some simple steps you can follow to prevent bed bugs wreaking havoc in your home.
We’re going to take you through them.
1 - Learn how to identify them
Bed bugs can be hard to find, so it helps to familiarise yourself with what bed bugs actually look like. You may not be able to prevent a few bed bugs from entering your home but it’s best to spot them early so it doesn’t become a full-blown infestation.
One telltale sign of bed bugs is bites. They appear in the form of small red marks that often appear in a row. They can be itchy and raised, but aren't dangerous and don't spread disease. If you know what the bites look like, you can identify the problem early and seek professional help.
What do bed bugs look like?
Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown and have a long oval-shaped body. They’re about the size and shape of a small seed. If you see something on your mattress that’s flat and shaped like a tiny brown balloon, it may well be a bed bug.
2 - Check your mattress regularly
One of the easiest ways to avoid bed bugs is to check your mattress regularly. Look out for little spots of blood on your bed linen or mattress cover, and pay close attention to the turns in your mattress for live bed bugs or traces that they've been there. Like faeces or moulted shells and skins.
3 - Protect your mattress
Buying a mattress protector is a great way to eliminate potential hiding spots and avoid unwanted visitors. Mattress protectors are often a light colour and this helps to make bed bugs more visible.
Our Premium Anti-Allergenic Waterproof Mattress Protector is designed to protect against dust mites, spills, and bacteria growth. And it's fully machine washable, keeping you cool and comfortable with a whopping 10-year guarantee.
You can also vacuum your mattress and mattress protector on a regular basis to remove any successful pests.
4 - Try and avoid buying used furniture
Used mattresses or beds can sometimes come with more than you bargained for. So it pays to invest in a new mattress. There are lots of benefits to buying a new mattress. One of the main benefits is that it guarantees the product is fresh off the production line. All our mattresses are handmade in Britain to give you the highest quality product from day one. And are trusted by hotels and homeowners all over the world.
If you do purchase an older bed frame, make sure to give it a thorough check before you put your sheets down. Treat old furniture with a thorough deep clean. And if you're in any doubt, speak to a pest specialist.
5 - Regularly vacuum your floors and carpets
Despite their name, bed bugs aren’t isolated to your bed. They can also be found in your carpets and floors. It’s important to regularly vacuum your carpets as this is one of their favourite hiding places to safely and effectively remove the infestation. Whilst you’re at it, give your mattress a quick vacuum just to be on the safe side. Once you’ve vacuumed, remove the vacuum bag and dispose of it immediately so you won’t have any escapees!
6 - Check your pets
Bed bugs aren't too fussy about where their next meal comes from, and can also feast on our beloved pets. Inspect the areas in and around their bed as bed bugs love to use these as a hiding spot. Regularly wash their beds on the highest heat and dryer setting possible just in case.
7 - Seal your home
Bed bugs can be carried in multiple different ways. Whether on the coats of your pet, rodents, birds, or clothing, they’re not too fussy about what they use as transport. Repairing any cracks on the outside and inside of your home eliminates any potential hiding places. Any crack that can fit a business card in it is a hiding opportunity. Installing door sweeps underneath doors also helps to prevent potential escape routes into corridors.
8 - Don’t get caught out in hotels
Hotels and Bed Bugs can be a recipe for disaster. Hotels, as clean as they can be, can also be a potential home for bed bugs. Wherever you go and stay in someone else’s bed or a hotel, make sure to check the mattress first. Bed bugs can travel on clothing so you can very quickly find that a hotel’s problem can become your own. Scan around the corners of the bed and check for signs of blood or signs that bugs may be infesting the mattress.
How can you remove bed bugs?
If you've followed the measures in this blog and spot that you have a bed bugs infestation, it might be out of your control and professional help is the next step. A professional bed bug removal treatment will safely and effectively remove the infestation. It will also permanently remove the problem from your home. So, if you discover bed bugs in your home, contact your local pest professionals to get rid of the problem.
If you just want to air on the side of caution, a mattress protector is a perfect addition to your bedroom. Check out our range of mattress protectors or get in touch with us today to see how we can help you.