Keeping Your Home Bed Bug Free During the Holidays

They may be a nuisance, but bed bugs have a fascinating history. Despite having evolved alongside us for millennia, these little parasites predate human existence by millions of years. Originally evolved to feed on bats, bed bugs have adapted to thrive in our homes, often hitching a ride on clothing, luggage, and furniture.

Their remarkable ability to blend into unfamiliar environments makes them a challenge to spot and eliminate, and as we welcome friends and family into our homes, effective bed bug control becomes all the more important. Thankfully, the experts at Hulett Environmental Services are here to help you keep your living space, sleeping space, and all the other places in between protected from a bed bug infestation this winter.

How To Spot a Bed Bug

Before we break down how to protect yourself and guests from bed bugs while you are home and while you are away, let’s dig into the details of how to spot a bed bug, how to differentiate them from other pests, and the best techniques for a DIY bed bug inspection.

What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?

Bed bugs are small, flat, and oval-shaped insects, typically measuring about 1/4 inch long when fully grown, and sometimes being compared to the size and shape of an apple seed. Though they can vary in color, they tend to be between a light brown and a deep reddish-brown, depending on whether they’ve recently fed. Newly hatched bed bugs are much smaller, about the size of a pinhead, and will appear pale yellow or translucent compared to their fully grown counterparts.

While their look is distinctive, other bugs are often mistaken as bed bugs due to their notoriety. A good tip to remember is that bed bugs lack wings and have a more flat and elongated body shape when unfed. Notably, after a feeding, their bodies swell and take on a more rounded appearance, so keep an eye out for the size of any bed bugs you find to get a sense of how long the infestation has been present.

At-Home Bed Bug Inspection

Bed bugs are travelers. These pests are often brought into homes through various means, such as cardboard boxes, used furniture, or even clothing from infested locations. For example, if you store a chair in your garage or attic and later bring it inside without thoroughly checking it, you may unknowingly introduce bed bugs into your home.

When inspecting for bed bugs, focus on key areas such as:

• Mattresses and bedding. Check seams, folds, and underneath the mattress for any signs of bed bugs or their eggs.
• Bed frames and headboards. Look at cracks and crevices where bed bugs can hide. They often go unnoticed, only emerging when they detect warmth.
• Couches and upholstered furniture. Inspect cushions, under cushions, and seams, especially where people tend to sit.
• Baseboards and carpets. Examine these areas for any signs of infestation, as bed bugs love to hide inside shaggy carpets or rugs.

Preventive Bed Bug Treatment Before the Guests Arrive

Take preventive steps before guests arrive, not only for their comfort but also for your peace of mind. This is especially important if your guests include travelers or if you operate an Airbnb, as you may have a higher risk of pest introduction.

Vacuuming and Steam Cleaning

Maintaining a clean home is one of the most effective ways to minimize the risk of infestation for any pest. Focus on high-traffic areas like carpets, upholstery, and under furniture. Regular vacuuming in areas where guests will sleep or sit will help eliminate potential hiding spots for bed bugs.

Especially when transitioning between guests, we recommend steam cleaning your carpets and furniture. On top of being one of the most effective ways to remove stains from carpets, steam cleaning uses high temperatures to kill bed bugs and their eggs. Family and pet-friendly rental machines are affordable, easy to use, and can significantly reduce the risk of infestation. Thorough cleaning is a good practice because this is when many of the signs and symptoms of bedbugs can be discovered, indicating that it is time to call the pest control professionals for effective treatment against these bloodsucking parasites.

Washing Sheets With High Heat and Vinegar 

Treat your sheets right—your guests will thank you. When you wash your guest bedding, use hot water above 120° F to kill any pests or eggs lurking in the folds. For an added layer of protection, soak your linens in a one-to-one solution of vinegar and water before washing. While this won’t kill any insects that are present, it’ll act as a powerful natural deterrent, making your sheets less appealing to future bed bug visitors.

How To Prevent Bed Bugs From Spreading While You Are on Vacation

Even if your home is currently bed bug-free, a lot can happen while you are away. Bed bugs can easily hitch a ride on luggage or clothing, so it’s important to be proactive so you don’t come back home to an infestation. A pest control maintenance program can ensure pest professionals are frequently on-site and can discover any bed bug infestations quickly and exterminate the bugs before the infestation worsens.

Natural Bed Bug Repellents and Bed Bug Interceptors

On top of all the cleaning tips we’ve gone over, there are some other natural bed bug repellents you should try. Tea tree oil, along with lavender and peppermint, can create a potent pest-repelling concoction that poses little risk to your pets or guests while leaving behind an aroma that is pleasant for people, not for pests. Spray a diluted mixture on your bedspread and furniture for an added layer of protection.

Additionally, products like bed bug interceptors—small dishes placed under the legs of your bed or furniture—can help trap any bed bugs that try to climb onto your bed. While these devices offer some protection, they shouldn’t be relied upon as the only preventive measure. In fact, bed bugs are not a pest to take lightly, and a DIY approach is not recommended. Bed bugs are extremely good at hiding, and the infestations can grow rapidly and spread around your property, building, and neighborhood through hitchhiking. Bed bugs have also developed insecticide resistance in many cases, so professional grade products applied by licensed and trained technicians is going to be the best choice to quickly relieve your home from bed bugs.

So remember, for the best bed bug prevention, just call Hulett.

It’s the Holiday Season, but the Pests Don’t Take Breaks

While you’re winding down for a relaxing holiday season with friends and family, we’re gearing up for all the pests that’ll try to make their way indoors this winter. With over 50 years of success in bed bug control, you know you have Florida’s best in pest management when you work with Hulett Environmental Services.

Schedule your free bed bug inspection today, and happy holidays from Hulett!