How to Prevent Bed Bugs in Flushing NY
Bed bugs can occur after a single instance with an infested item or location. While it may not be possible to prevent them 100%, there are certain steps you can take to drastically reduce your chances of bringing bed bugs into your home. A few main ways to prevent bed bugs include knowing the signs of bed bugs, being mindful while traveling, and exercising caution with used items.
Can Bed Bugs Be Prevented?
Yes, you can dramatically reduce your chances of having bed bugs, but that doesn’t guarantee anything. Bed bug infestations are often random, so even the cleanest properties can fall victim. Staying vigilant and educated can lessen your risk of an infestation down the road!
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How Do Bed Bugs Spread?
Bed bugs usually spread through infested items, such as box springs, mattresses, clothes, furniture, suitcases, and more. Once on your property, they will hide and spread to other areas within the house. Bugs can travel to different rooms, and even to different units if you live in a dorm or an apartment. They will travel through ceilings, pipes, doorways, common walls, cables, and more. One of the most common ways for bed bug spread is when infested furniture or bedding is moved from one location to another.
How Quickly Do Bed Bugs Reproduce & Spread?
In a single day, bed bugs can lay between one to 12 eggs. This rate of reproduction is generally slower compared to other insects. However, the issue with bed bugs is their discreet behavior that can lead to a growing infestation without you realizing it. The eggs will take about ten days to hatch where they will remain in the larvae stage for up to six weeks.
Easy Tips to Prevent Bed Bugs in Your Home
Despite their sly behavior, there are ways you can stay mostly safe from bed bugs:
- Know how to identify bed bug signs, including blood spots, fecal spots, and bites.
- Be mindful of used furniture by inspecting second-hand items prior to bringing them inside.
- Electrical outlets are a common hiding spot for bed bugs. Cover unused outlets with a plug to prevent them from climbing in.
- Mattresses are a haven for bed bugs. Using a mattress cover that is resistant to holes and tares can prevent bed bugs in your bed.
- Use caution when traveling. Research the hotel you plan to stay at, pack your clothes in sealed bags, and keep your suitcase above the ground.
What Attracts Bed Bugs in Flushing NY?
Bed bugs are primarily attracted to their food source, which is the blood of a host. They are also drawn to areas that will keep them warm. As long as there is a host to feed on, bed bugs will dwell in any residence, despite how clean it is.
Can You Get Rid of Bed Bugs in Used Furniture?
Finding second-hand furniture that is infested with bed bugs can be alarming. If this item was purchased from a private seller or a store, it’s important to let the seller or the store owner know. This can prevent other infested items from being sold to other buyers and you may be able to receive a refund for the item. If you hope to salvage the item, contacting a professional is the best way to ensure the bugs are removed. All infested furniture should be left outside until it has been treated to prevent the bugs from infesting your property.
How to Check Used Furniture for Bed Bugs
Inspecting your furniture before purchasing and bringing it inside can happen with the following steps:
- Look for blood dots or small black dots.
- Look on the underside of tables, shelves, bed frames, and other items.
- Check the small and discreet areas, such as seams, crevices, creases, cracks, voids, furniture joints, and more.
- If anything seems suspicious, it may not be worth the risk of bringing a potential infestation into your home!
Likelihood of Bed Bugs in Used Furniture
Second-hand furniture has a lot of fantastic benefits! The risk of bed bugs should not turn you off from using previously owned furniture. The risk should just make you mindful of the possibility of bed bugs and prompt you to take the additional step of inspecting the furniture.
How to Stop the Spread of Bed Bugs in Flushing NY
Getting treatment from a bed bug control expert as quickly as possible is recommended. Bed bugs are difficult to locate and eliminate, and often a treatment from a professional is needed to eradicate the problem!