What is the main cause of bed bugs? What are the signs of infestation? What are the ways to eradicate an infestation? So, you suspect bed bugs infestation at your home. You are looking for all the possible ways to eliminate them. You want to know the causes to prevent a recurrence. In this article, we will answer all your queries. 

What is the Main Cause of Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are small and wingless insects. They have flattened bodies and that structure helps them to hide in secluded and tight places. They hide deep in your upholstered furniture or behind headboards. Below are some of the main causes of a bed bug infestation.

Travel 

What is the Main Cause of Bed Bugs

Travel is one of the key causes of bed bugs infestation. These tiny insects are known as travel bugs. You can get them in your clothes while staying in hotels and even while traveling. These insects are prevalent in universities, colleges, retail stores, hospitals, libraries, movie theatres, and many other places. The increased travel needs in the last couple of decades have made bed bugs infestation prevalent. Some things you can do if you find bed bugs while traveling include washing your clothes on a hot wash cycle, and leaving your suitcase out in the sun for an extended period of time. Also, don’t forget to inspect your home once you return.

Second-hand Furniture 

Second-hand furniture is another risk factor. Bed bugs can travel to your property through second-hand furniture. The same is about rented furniture. If bed bugs are hiding in rented furniture, they can spread to other rooms through clothing and bedding. Also, bed bugs can survive long without blood. They can survive up to several months without human blood. So, if you are thinking to eliminate them by isolating some infested furniture, it will not help much. You will have to take the help of a professional to get rid of the infestation and prevent a recurrence.

How to Avoid Bed Bugs

What is the Main Cause of Bed Bugs

The best way to avoid an infestation is to avoid the source. While staying in a hotel, you can inspect the bed, bed covers, and bed sheets to ensure that there is no sign of bed bugs. If you find any bed bug including dead and alive, you should not use that bed. The bed bugs look like an apple seed, permanent marker stain, or black fecal smears.

While using a hotel room, make sure that you are placing your luggage far from the bed, as it is possible for bed bugs to lay eggs in clothes. If required, you can store your luggage in the bathroom or any other safe place instead of the bed. Also, you will have to check your luggage before unpacking and packing. Check your clothes carefully before leaving the hotel. Re-check your entire luggage once you return home. 

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

If you suspect you may have bed bugs, you’ll want to get rid of them immediately. Wash clothes soon after returning to your home. Place your clothes in the dryer for around half an hour to kill all the bugs. After this, you can wash your clothes using hot and soapy water. Do not forget to use the dryer again. Using heat on bed bugs is an effective method at getting rid of them. 

In Conclusion

What is the main cause of bed bugs? The main causes are travel and second-hand furniture. Travel is unavoidable. So, you can take some precautions to avoid infestation. For second-hand furniture, you will have to do a careful observation before renting or buying to minimize the possibility. You can always seek professional bed bug treatment if you are unsure how to eliminate them properly.

Tags: