Summer is on its way and with it comes bed bug season. Bed bugs may be a year-round pest, but since they’re most active in the summer, this is the time of year when it’s most likely that you’ll end up having some of these blood-eating bugs move into your house. Summer bed bug prevention is important for Illinois residents, and Crown Exterminators can help!
Why Bed Bugs are Most Active in Summer
As with most insects, bed bugs love hot, humid weather. While they remain active all year, taking up residence in homes, hotels, and other areas inhabited by humans, they tend to slow their travels in the colder months.
Once the weather heats up though, bed bugs are ready to move. They don’t infest homes in the manner of most bugs, (by getting inside after being in your yard.) Instead, they climb onto people’s clothing, bags, and luggage, then go along for the ride to wherever they end up. Once they climb off, they’ll settle into their new home.
Summer Bed Bug Prevention for Illinois Residents
When it comes to preventing bed bugs, vigilance is key. You have to be on your guard against them or they can infest your home without your knowledge. The following tips will help:
If going on vacation, do not bring your luggage into your hotel room until you’ve done a thorough inspection of the room. Look under sheets, along the seams in mattresses, between mattresses and headboards, behind picture frames, and along the edges of walls.
Even if the room looks free of bed bugs, keep your luggage, bags, and clothing up off the floor during your stay.
When you return home, check through your belongings before bringing them inside. Wash all your clothing in a hot water wash before putting it away.After you’ve been shopping or have gone out for the day, check your bags and your clothing before going into your house.
Do periodic checks of your house, especially after hosting guests.
What Signs to Look for When Looking for Bed Bugs
Small red spots on your sheets could be blood from bed bug bites.
Bed bug bites are red and often form an uneven line on your skin.
Seeing the bugs themselves is a sure sign of an infestation.
You may see bed bug casings along the seams of upholstery.
Bed bug eggs may also be along the seams of upholstery or between mattresses and headboards.
You may see small brown streaks on your sheets. These are bed bug feces.
What to Do if You See Signs of Bed Bugs
If you see any of the signs above, it’s important to contact Crown Exterminators immediately. Bed bugs are difficult to eliminate on your own. They hide deep within your walls, are resistant to many chemical treatments, and can go dormant for months before coming out of hiding to plague you again.
In order to completely eliminate a bed bug infestation so that you don’t have to worry about a recurrence, you need a professional bed bug treatment. Crown Exterminators can completely take care of your bed bug problem and ensure that it won’t come back. Contact us today to schedule your free inspection!
Tags: residential pest control | bed bugs
