I Think I Have Bed Bugs...Now What?
DON’T panic!
DON’T panic!
You DON’T need to move
You DON’T need to move
Identification
Identification
Identify the problem
Identify the problem
Check nightstands and furniture with a flashlight to see inside drawers, screw holes, cracks and seams
Check nightstands and furniture with a flashlight to see inside drawers, screw holes, cracks and seams
Inspect your entire home for bed bugs
Inspect your entire home for bed bugs
Check the bed seams and mattress tags for bed bug evidence
Check the bed seams and mattress tags for bed bug evidence
Treatment
Treatment
DON’T throw away all your belongings
DON’T throw away all your belongings
Use a vacuum on your mattress as well as all cracks and crevices where bed bugs can hide
Use a vacuum on your mattress as well as all cracks and crevices where bed bugs can hide
Discard the vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag or container and discard outside of your home
Discard the vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag or container and discard outside of your home
If you have a landlord, notify them of the problem
If you have a landlord, notify them of the problem
If you resort to using a bug bomb/fogger DO it safely
If you resort to using a bug bomb/fogger DO it safely
Use your dryer to heat and kill bed bugs on items such as clothing and stuffed animals and then seal them in a plastic tote or container so that they cannot be re-infested
Use your dryer to heat and kill bed bugs on items such as clothing and stuffed animals and then seal them in a plastic tote or container so that they cannot be re-infested
DON’T cover your body or your belongings in any bug repellent, cleaning product or chemical. DON'T use bug bombs as your first line of defense
DON’T cover your body or your belongings in any bug repellent, cleaning product or chemical. DON'T use bug bombs as your first line of defense
Preparation
Preparation
Develop a strategy to deal with the problem
Develop a strategy to deal with the problem
Put on mattress and pillow encasements that are rated for bed bugs
Put on mattress and pillow encasements that are rated for bed bugs
Make your bed an island
Make your bed an island
Prepare your home for treatment
Prepare your home for treatment
Continue to evaluate the problem and prevent it from happening again
Continue to evaluate the problem and prevent it from happening again
De-clutter your home to cut down areas that bed bugs can hide
De-clutter your home to cut down areas that bed bugs can hide
Hiring The Right Professional
Hiring The Right Professional
Contact a pest control professional for an assessment and recommendations
Contact a pest control professional for an assessment and recommendations