Bed bugs in linings of blue curtains

The Eggs You Didn’t Want this Easter

Easter is the time for food, family, and devotion to tradition. Whether that be attending service, having dinner with your extended family, or ordering Chinese food while waiting on the new episode of Game of Thrones, everyone is up to something around the holidays. Unfortunately, it is also the time when everyone is at risk for bringing home more than what they left with. We are not talking about the giant food belly that is often following us home, but bed bugs!

How did the bed bugs end up in my home?

How do bed bugs end up in your home after the holiday? Bed bugs are elusive pests, hiding in seams of mattresses, couch cushions, and even purse seams. With their tiny bodies and slow life cycle, many people that are victims of bed bugs often don’t know they have them until its a full blown infestation. At this point, the bed bugs are hiding within the couch and chair seams and other upholstered furniture. When the family comes over for a holiday dinner and relaxes in the living room, the bed bugs make their way onto clothing, purses, and any other items that are sitting near their hiding spot.  

This situation can also happen if someone with bed bugs comes to your home. As stated before, bed bugs hide in clothing, luggage, and purses. Whether it be your Great-Aunt Margie or your son that came home from college for the holidays, they could come from anywhere.

How do I know if bed bugs are in my home?

Inspecting your home would be the first level of precaution you should take when dealing with bed bugs. Grab a flashlight and check the following locations:

  • Mattress – Including the seams, underneath, etc
  • Box Spring
  • Headboard
  • Couch
  • Any upholstered furniture

These are the locations with the highest likelihood of having a bed bug. This does not mean that they could not be in other locations, especially if you are just coming home from a place with bed bugs. Due to their mating and life cycle, a bed bug infestation can take weeks to months to produce. If you continue to go back to the same place, we would recommend calling a bed bug exterminator for a professional bed bug inspection.

How do I make sure I don’t bring bed bugs home?

If you know that one of your family members has bed bugs or had a previous infestation, be sure to thoroughly inspect your clothing and items BEFORE going into your house. Although checking before you get into your vehicle would be even more ideal. To take an extra step toward bed bug prevention put your clothing in the dryer on high heat for a couple of hours. The high heat will eliminate all bed bugs in any life stage. You will also want to spray or wipe your shoes down with at least 90% alcohol.

If you believe you might have brought bed bugs home this past holiday in Cleveland, OH, call Bed Bug BBQ at (216) 221-1227 or visit our website for more information.

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