It's a common misconception that bed bugs are only attracted to dirty homes. While this may be true of cockroaches and rodents, this isn't true of bed bugs. One of the most frustrating things about bed bugs is that they invade the cleanest of Colorado Springs homes. But if that's not what attracts bed bugs into homes, then what does?
Bed Bugs Can Happen To Anyone
It's important to know that bed bugs don't just affect individuals who maintain dirty homes. They don't care how clean or dirty your home may be; all they want is food, and homes certainly have no shortage of that. Unlike other pests in Colorado Springs, bed bugs don't eat your crumbs or dried goods but survive off of blood from you, your family, and your pets.
Because there's no way to eliminate bed bug food from your home, it's almost impossible to keep them out. You can try to make your home less accessible to bed bugs, but there's no guarantee that they won't find their way inside.
How Bed Bugs Travel
To understand how bed bugs get into your home, you need to know how they travel. They can walk but can't fly, and while they may walk from one apartment to yours, they don't tend to travel long distances on their own. Rather, bed bugs rely on other people to get them around. They're notorious for hitchhiking around, and traveling in clothing, furniture, and suitcases.
Usually, bed bugs are found in hotels, hospitals, and senior care facilities. While you're sleeping in your hotel room, bed bugs could crawl into your suitcase. When you head home, you won't even notice the parasites in your luggage. You can try to prevent this from happening by keeping your luggage off the ground and away from the wall. Additionally, check your hotel room for signs of bed bugs and stay elsewhere if you suspect that there are any pests in the room.
Bed bugs can also ambush your home through your used furniture. If you go to the thrift store, bed bugs could be hiding in the cracks. When you bring the furniture home, you're inviting the insects inside. They'll move from the furniture to your bed, couch, and baseboards. At night, they'll feed on you and your family members.
If your neighbors have bed bugs, you could also have them. They can travel to your home from a nearby house. Apartment buildings are even worse, as bed bugs don't need to travel far to get into your property.
Can You Keep Bed Bugs Out?
Without help, you might find it challenging to keep bed bugs out. However, there are a few things you can do to decrease your chances of experiencing an infestation.
First, you can eliminate potential entrances. If you don't want bed bugs traveling from your neighbor's home to yours, you should seal up gaps and cracks. Keep in mind that the small size of bed bugs makes this difficult to do.
Secondly, be cautious when you travel. After you arrive home from your travels, check your luggage for bed bugs before bringing it inside. You may also want to remove your clothing before entering your house.
Lastly, check your used furniture and clothing for bed bugs. Don't purchase anything that looks like it has bed bugs.
Work With Us
Because bed bugs are so hard to prevent, you never know when you'll need bed bug removal services. If you suspect that you have bed bugs, call us at Beeline Pest Control. Our residential pest control services are ready to help.