11 Ways to Prevent Bed Bugs from Invading Your Space
How To Prevent Bed Bugs?
A common question we often get is “how do I prevent bed bugs?”
Though you need to put in time and effort to protect your household from these tiny pests, it’s worth it. That way, you can avoid the financial, social, and health-related consequences of a bed bug infestation.
The idea that the best defense is a good offense can apply to many situations—even the fight against bed bugs! A proactive approach can help prevent bed bugs from entering your space, making themselves at home, and multiplying in number.
Below are 11 suggestions we have for preventing a bed bug infestation in your living space:
11 Ways to Prevent Bed Bugs
If you don’t know the first thing about bed bug prevention, don’t worry! You’re not alone.
In fact, many homeowners are in the same boat. But by educating yourself on practical steps and what attracts bed bugs, you can keep your home bed bug free!
1.) Vacuum Floors & Upholstery Regularly
Vacuuming your floors and upholstery at least once a week (ideally more) is a good first step toward bed bug prevention. These pesky critters love soft surfaces. They often hide in furniture edges and along carpet seams.
By paying close attention to these areas when you vacuum, you can sweep up stray bed bugs before they multiply. Just make sure to empty the bag in an outdoor trash can once you’re finished.
2.) Keep Clutter to a Minimum
A common myth about bed bugs is that they only live in dirty, messy places. In reality, bed bugs will find their way into any space offering warmth, food, and carbon dioxide. But a cluttered home can give them more hiding places, allowing an infestation to grow undetected. That’s why it’s a good idea to declutter your home by doing the following:
Putting items you don’t need in plastic containers
Leaving floor spaces clear of anything but furniture
Storing containers in closets instead of under beds
By reducing clutter, you’ll also have an easier time checking for bed bugs. The experts at Advanced Bed Bug Preparation can also help guide you with tips for how to minimize clutter in your home for bed bug prevention.
Related: Preparing Home for Bed Bug Treatment: Why & How to Do It
3.) Encase Mattresses & Box Springs
There’s a reason we refer to these annoying pests as “bed bugs.” They hide near beds and emerge at night to feed on people while they sleep. So, if you want to prevent bed bugs from taking over your home, it makes sense to shield the central area of activity—the bed.
A popular tactic is to encase every mattress and box spring in a protective covering. There are many mattress protectors designed for this purpose, and they’re all pretty easy to use. Basically, they act as a barrier to stop bed bugs from getting into your mattress. Plus, they trap existing bed bugs and cut off their food source.
Note: Covering your mattresses and box springs won’t eliminate bed bugs that have already invaded your home. These critters are resilient and can last months without food. But it will give you the chance to call a professional for bed bug treatment.
4.) Seal Cracks & Crevices
As bed bugs can’t fly or jump, their method of travel is limited. But they can make their way into homes by crawling through any available openings they find. To prevent bed bugs from setting up in your house, seal any cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings.
You can use caulk, sealant, or weather stripping to close off potential entry points and prevent bed bug access.
5.) Cover Electrical Outlets
Did you know that bed bugs can hide in electrical outlets?
These uninvited guests are experts at hiding and can easily squeeze in electrical outlets. That’s why adding covers to outlets is recommended. Applying baby-proof covers to outlets can block bed bugs from getting in and out.
More importantly, it can make it harder for them to travel and spread, giving you time to act.
Related: What are the Dangers of Bed Bugs?
6.) Wash Bedding on High Heat
Another way to prevent bed bugs from multiplying in your home is to wash bedding on high heat.
Roughly once a week, toss your pillowcases, sheets, and comforters into the washing machine using the highest temperature setting. Once the bedding has been washed, put it in the dryer on high heat for at least one hour.
As bed bugs can’t withstand high temperatures, this can kill live bed bugs and eggs that may be hiding in your bedding.
7.) Be Careful at the Laundromat
Bed bugs are notorious hitchhikers, which is why you need to be careful when using laundry machines that aren’t your own. If you wash your clothes at a laundromat or shared facility, bed bugs could find their way into your basket.
Fortunately, you can reduce the chances of bringing home unwanted pests from the laundromat by taking these precautions:
Carry your dirty laundry in a sealed bag rather than an open basket.
Transfer your laundry directly from the bag to the machine.
Check for bed bugs before sitting down yourself.
Avoid setting your laundry on the floor or near seats.
Wait to fold your laundry until you’re at home.
Note: As mentioned above, you should also use the highest temperature possible to wash and dry your clothing and bedding.
Need help with laundry treatment? Check out how to treat laundry during the bed bug preparation process here.
8.) Inspect Secondhand Furniture & Clothing
Buying secondhand furniture and clothing may seem like a great deal—until you realize you’ve brought bed bugs into your house. So, for effective bed bug prevention, you should make sure to inspect items carefully beforehand to prevent bed bugs.
Check all surfaces, seams, and folds for signs of bed bugs, including dark spots, blood spots, eggs, shells, and even live bed bugs. Look closely and use a flashlight for a more thorough examination.
If you notice anything suspicious, you’re better off putting it back!
9.) Hang up Guest Clothing
When you invite guests into your home, chances are you just throw their coats on your bed. Unfortunately, this simple act can have serious consequences for your household. If one of those coats has even one bed bug, it could crawl into your bedding and make itself at home.
It’s not uncommon for someone to have bed bugs without knowing, so a guest could inadvertently bring them into your house. As mentioned before, bed bugs can hitchhike from home to home on clothing. And just a single female bed bug can cause a full-scale infestation.
Note: That’s why, for thorough bed bug prevention, you should hang up your guests’ coats and other clothing on a designated rack. Then, clean the rack and surrounding area once your guests leave. If you opt to hang them up in a closet, be sure to vacuum it thoroughly at the end of the visit.
10.) Practice Smart Travel Precautions
After getting back from vacation, the last thing you want to deal with is a bed bug infestation. Unfortunately, these pests are a common issue for travelers. The good news is you can prevent bed bugs from invading by taking the following precautions:
Use luggage liners, plastic bags, or sealed containers to protect clothing.
Do a thorough room check when you arrive at your destination.
Place your bags on luggage stands or other elevated surfaces.
Leave your clothes in your luggage or hang them up.
Wash your clothing immediately after returning home.
Clean the interior and exterior of all bags at home with a steamer.
Given that hotels and other lodging are common sources of bed bug spreading, it’s in your best interest to be cautious.
Related: How Do Bed Bugs Travel?
11.) Consider Using Bed Bug Traps
Finally, you may want to consider using special traps to catch and prevent bed bugs from spreading. There are various kinds of bed bug traps that work in different ways. However, they’re best used to determine whether you have bed bugs—not to replace professional treatment.
Nonetheless, they can be helpful for monitoring your home.
What If Bed Bug Prevention Fails?
Unfortunately, there’s always a small chance that your efforts to prevent bed bugs will fail. If that happens, contacting a highly rated pest control company is the next step. They’ll be able to perform the necessary treatment to rid your home of those pesky critters. More on the different types of bed bug treatments here.
And Advanced Bed Bug Preparation can provide the bed bug prep and restoration services you need to get your Northeast Wisconsin home back to normal! We serve the cities of Oshkosh, Appleton, Green Bay, Fond Du Lac, Sheboygan, and beyond.
Find out more about our process here, or contact us today to schedule a consultation for bed bug prevention and preparation!
