A very long time ago in the 1600s, a study was done to figure out if flies spontaneously generated from nothing. Of course, it was discovered that fly eggs were just really small and unnoticeable to the naked eye. In this modern-day and age, something equally questioning has been occurring. Bed bugs are appearing, seemingly out of nowhere inside Fort Myers’ homes. If you are amongst the homeowners wondering where these tiny bloodsuckers came from, we are here today to explain. Here is everything you need to know about bed bugs.
How Do Bed Bugs Get Around?
Bed bugs were not built for traveling. Not only do they lack wings to fly with, but their legs are too week for them to jump. What is amazing is that, despite this, bed bugs can travel hundreds of miles in just a single day! How do they do this? By using our help. You see, bed bugs may not be fast themselves, but they are highly capable of using us and our modes of transportation to get around. Of course, bed bugs aren’t looking to travel hundreds of miles, all they care about is finding a new place to settle down and call home. They are just as content moving from continent to continent as they are to crawl from one bedroom in your home to another. As long as a blood meal awaits them after nightfall, bed bugs are happy.
Bed Bug Hot Spots
Seeing that bed bugs use us to get around, it would only be logical that bed bugs would be more common where we travel most. Common bed bug hotspots include theaters, schools, gyms, hotels, malls, shopping centers, airports, train stations, and bus stations. Bed bugs are most likely to be picked up in areas where items are left sitting for more than 20 minutes at a time, as this is all the time a bed bug needs to hitch a ride. Backpacks being left in lockers, bags left on the floor of airports, and clothing being left in a locker at the gym are all great examples of this.
Another common way bed bugs are brought home is on second-hand items. If you frequently shop for furniture, clothing, or other items at local thrift stores or second-hand shops, your chances of bringing bed bugs home with you will naturally be much higher.
Some Ways You Can Avoid Bed Bugs
Although bed bugs are not fully preventable, there are a number of things you can do to reduce your chances of bringing them home with you. Here are some precautions we recommend you take.
- Take some time to learn more about bed bugs such as what they look like and the signs they leave behind.
- Before traveling home with used or second-hand clothing, store it inside a sealed plastic bag. Once home, wash the clothing immediately on high heat. This will kill off any hiding bed bugs.
- When shopping for used furniture, inspect them thoroughly for bed bugs and the blood spots and fecal matter they leave behind. If you suspect it might be infested, don’t buy it.
- When traveling, inspect rooms you are going to be staying in for bed bug activity. Change rooms if you suspect bed bugs are around.
- Teach your family and friends about bed bugs and how to avoid them so they can take precautions themselves.
What To Do If Bed Bugs Get Into Your Home
Our hope is that you never have to deal with a bed bug infestation. However, if you do, we are here to help. At BioTherm Green Solutions, Inc, we specialize in quality bed bug control. With several options to choose from and a staff of friendly and highly trained pest technicians, you will never have to wonder if you have made the right choice.
Give us a call today if you suspect your home has bed bugs. We will find the solution for your Fort Myers home.