Ridding Your Home of Insects

Six Things You Should Do Immediately After You Get Rid Of Your Bed Bug Infestation

by Ted Miller

Dealing with a bed bug infestation is undeniably an unpleasant experience. Fortunately, there are many bed bug treatments available to clear up the issue. 

After you've gotten rid of a bed bug infestation, you should adopt practices that will prevent a future infestation in your home. The following are six things you should do immediately after you get rid of your bed bug infestation. 

Stop putting items under the bed

Bed bugs like to have hiding places near beds where they feed off of people at night. If you have a lot of stuff under your bed, you're giving them the perfect environment. You should stop using the area under your bed for storage or allowing items to accumulate down there to prevent future infestations. 

Develop a regular schedule for washing your sheets

Washing your sheets regularly is one of the most effective things you can do to prevent infestations. When you wash your sheets, you should wash them on the highest possible temperature setting. Hot water in your washing machine can kill bed bugs and bed bug eggs. 

Develop a schedule for vacuuming bedroom floors

You need to keep the surface of your floor clean if you want to prevent bed bugs. You should develop a schedule for doing routine cleanings to prevent future infestations.

If you have a carpeted bedroom, you should vacuum your floor to prevent bed bugs. Use the highest suction setting possible for maximum effectiveness.

Unfortunately, bed bugs are hardy enough to survive a trip through your vacuum cleaner. That's why it's really important to empty your vacuum cleaner outside and dispose of your vacuum bag right away after cleaning your bedroom floor. 

Get an encasement for your mattress

Bed bugs can also hide within your mattress. However, you can keep bed bugs out if you use a vinyl mattress cover or encasement. Make sure that your encasement is completely zipped up so that there are no gaps or openings where bed bugs can penetrate it. 

Keep clutter out of your bedroom at all times

Bed bugs are attracted to messy places with lots of clutter around. You can make your bedroom less attractive to bed bugs if you keep the area orderly and remove any clutter. 

Protect your luggage from contamination when you travel

Bed bug infestations most commonly come into a home after an overnight trip to a hotel or guesthouse. That's why you need to be especially careful when you travel.

When you stay at a hotel in the future, you might want to bring a large plastic bag to seal up your suitcase during your stay. This helps to keep bed bugs from getting into your suitcase so that you bring them back home with you. 

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