It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a …Bed Bug?
Going to the movies is a classic rainy-day pastime. There’s nothing better than relaxing with a tub of popcorn and watching the newest blockbuster. It’s the perfect family activity – kids love movies! However, you’ve got to be on the lookout for bed bugs when you go out to the movies – there are plenty of places for them to hide in a movie theater.
Where Are They Hiding?
Bed bugs can hide in a variety of places, but in a movie theater you definitely need to watch out for bed bugs on the seats. Upholstery is one of a bed bug’s favorite places to hide away. Unfortunately, bed bugs could also be hiding in the (usually old) carpeting of a movie theater. They love spaces such as that, where lots of people congregate at once and it’s dark. It makes it easier for them to crawl out and snack on human blood…probably without you even noticing.
How Would They Get Home With Me?
You’re not taking the whole seat home with you, obviously, so you might think you’re leaving the pesky bugs behind – but unfortunately, that’s not the case. Bed bugs can sneak onto your clothing or belongings. They hide in the folds of your clothes and come home with you – which means they can then crawl from your clothes onto the seats of your car, and now you’ve got a bed bug problem there too. They can also get into your purse or wallet, and next time you go for a cup of coffee, you might be handing the cashier a bed bug along with your dollar bill. Yikes! In order to avoid bringing bed bugs home on your clothes, try wearing light-colored clothes to the movies. That will make it easier to spot the telltale signs of bed bugs.
What am I Looking For, Anyway?
Is there a way to tell if a movie theater has bed bugs before you sit down? Yes, there is! You’ll need a flashlight, like the one on your phone. Shine it onto the seats for a moment and look for small black spots or rust-colored stains. You also might catch some movement- don’t ignore it, it could be a live bed bug! Be sure to look carefully, as most theater seats tend to be made from dark fabric, so it can be hard to see signs of bed bugs if you’re not paying attention. If you smell something weird, pay attention to that too. The odor can vary, with some describing it as “dirty laundry” and others describing a sweet almond smell.
What if I Find Some?
So you decided to check out your seat before sitting down and you’ve found a couple of bed bugs scuttling across the seat. Yuck! What now? First of all, don’t just find another seat and plop down to enjoy the movie. It’s highly unlikely that the bugs stayed in one place. The whole movie theater has bed bugs, not just that one seat. Report the bugs to a manager so that they can close down at least that particular room, and inspect the rest of the theater for bed bugs too. If you missed the movie because of the bugs, ask for a refund on your ticket. Next, when you get home, throw your clothes in the dryer for about an hour. Being in the high temperature for an extended period of time will kill any sneaky bugs that may have made their way home with you. Be sure to check your purse or wallet thoroughly as well. Do not wait to do this! If you have a garage or porch, check your belongings out there before going inside so that they don’t spread through your home. Check your car thoroughly as well!
My Home Has Bed Bugs. What Now?
Never fear… Bed Bug BBQ is here! We use heat treatment to get rid of bed bugs. This bed bug extermination process gets rid of bed bugs in just one day and won’t fill your home with chemicals! Contact Bed Bug BBQ today for a FREE quote and inspection at (216) 221-1227 or through our website, and check out our other bed bug informational resources on identification, prevention, and eradication.
