Will it be “home for the holidays” or are you one of the millions who will be using planes, trains and automobiles to reach your loved ones during the season of celebration? While your stockings might be hung by the chimney with care, it shouldn’t be visions of bed bugs dancing in your head! No matter how or where you plan to spend your fete, now is the time to remind you to be on the lookout for those unwanted hitchhikers who are anxious to join in on your cheer: bed bugs.
According to the National Pest Management Association, 91% of bed bugs can be found in single-family homes, with 68% occupying hotels/motels and 19% hitching a ride on public transportation. They easily make their way into suitcases, onto clothing or other belongings. Bed bugs are resourceful and notoriously difficult to manage, allowing them to spread quickly throughout homes, transportation systems and any other place where people gather. The gift that keeps on giving? Female bed bugs lay one to five eggs per day, so imagine how many extra guests you might need to buy presents for!
Re-Gifting This Advice is Encouraged
As our gift to you, we offer this helpful advice to ensure your holidays are filled with cheer and not fear!
- While bed bugs do not spread disease, they do bite.
- In looking for these insects, you should check mattresses for blood marks. While other pests can be found that aren’t bed bugs, blood marks are the best indicator that you have an infestation problem. If you are staying at a hotel, immediately notify management of any signs of these bugs and ask for a new room that is not adjacent and/or directly above or below the original room.
- Place luggage in a plastic trash bag or protective cover during the duration of the trip.
- Inspect luggage and thoroughly vacuum it upon returning home, and before bringing it inside the house.
- Dry all fabric items (even those not worn) in a hot dryer for at least 30 minutes to ensure any bed bugs that may have made it that far do not get into your drawers or closet.
“Wrapping” It Up
If bed bugs do find their way into your home, do not deal with them on your own. It’s best to have us do an expert assessment. Following a determination by one of our service professionals, there are two treatment options we can deploy: conventional treatment or heat remediation.
Depending upon the severity of the infestation, either two or three bed bugs treatments are necessary to break the life cycle of the bed bugs and ensure elimination. The advantage to conventional treatment is that it continues to offer protection for a period of time.
Heat remediation involves heating an area to 135 degrees Fahrenheit for several hours. This requires less preparation and one treatment kills all life stages of bed bugs. Heat can be employed as a stand-alone solution or in conjunction with a conventional treatment. Heat treatment specialists are trained to treat your bed bug infestation in a way that prevents damage to your home and furnishings.
The holidays are a time to relax and unwind with family and friends, and receiving a present you’ve been waiting for all year doesn’t hurt. Let us give you the gift of bug remediation. For our expert solutions, contact us for help.