As you return from your holiday travels this season, you might unintentionally bring back more than just memories and souvenirs. In Louisiana, like many places worldwide, bed bugs are a common and unwelcome travel souvenir. These tiny hitchhikers can turn your post-holiday relaxation into a nightmare.
Understanding Bed Bugs
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small, oval, brownish insects that live on the blood of animals or humans. Adult bed bugs have flat bodies about the size of an apple seed which makes them excellent at hiding, but they swell and become reddish after feeding. They do not fly but can move quickly over floors and walls, and like to hide in cracks or crevices.
How Do They Travel?
Bed bugs are world-class hitchhikers. They can latch onto luggage, clothing, and other personal belongings, making travelers particularly vulnerable. Hotels, guest houses, and even the most reputable accommodations can harbor these pests. Their flat bodies make it easy for them to fit into tiny spaces, and they often go unnoticed.
Common Misconceptions!
When it comes to bed bugs, misinformation can be as pervasive as the pests themselves. A common misconception is that bed bugs are attracted only to dirty environments. In reality, they are drawn to the presence of people. Another widespread myth is that bed bugs transmit diseases. While their bites can cause itching and discomfort, scientific studies have not found bed bugs to be vectors for diseases.
Signs Of An Infestation
Dealing with bed bugs can seem daunting, but knowing what to look for can make all the difference. Have you ever woken up with tiny, itchy red bites? These little marks, often in a row or small area, might be the first hint of bed bug visitors. It can be easy to confuse them with other insect bites, so be sure to look for more evidence of bed bugs!
Another clue to watch for is small blood spots on your sheets or pillowcases – this sometimes happens when these tiny critters get squished after their meal. And while you’re at it, take a peek at your mattress or bedding for tiny dark specks, no bigger than a dot made by a pen. These little spots are bed bug leftovers and might also show up in nooks and crannies like furniture seams. Remember, finding these signs is the first step in getting your peaceful sleep back on track!
REMEMBER
Bed bugs are really good at hiding, and their showing up is not a reflection on your housekeeping. They can be found in both clean and cluttered spaces. So if you’re starting to think these unwelcome guests have moved in, the best thing to do is quickly reach out to a pest control company you trust.
When Returning Home Look For
- Small, itchy, red bites on your skin
- Dark or rusty spots on sheets, mattresses, and walls for bed bug excrement
- Apple seeds (bed bugs) that are moving and shedding skin
Prevention Tips
Preventing cockroach infestations in your Louisiana home starts with proper sanitation and sealing potential entry points. Here are some tips to help you keep these unwelcome guests out:
Inspect Accommodations
Always check hotel beds, headboards, and furniture for signs of bed bugs when staying somewhere new.
Protect Your Luggage
Keep your luggage on a rack away from the bed and wall. (Those racks in hotels that look like foldable tables are called luggage racks!)
Careful Unpacking
When you return, unpack directly into the washing machine and dry clothes on high heat.
Consider Professional Pest Control
If you do or think your home has a bed bug infestation, it’s best to call in experts to effectively address the problem. At Arrow, we understand how distressing bed bugs can be, which is why we offer a variety of effective solutions tailored to your unique situation.
We pride ourselves not only on eradicating bed bugs but also on doing so with methods that suit your lifestyle, ensuring the comfort and security of your home are restored. As the winter chill sets in, stay warm, stay vigilant, and trust Arrow to keep those pesky critters at bay. Let us take care of the bed bugs, so you can focus on enjoying a peaceful and pest-free home.
Schedule Free Inspection
Arrow Termite and Pest Control serves Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas with sister companies in Alabama and Florida. The company is still a family owned-business with the same core values as its origins. The Cohn family and Arrow Termite and Pest Control are active participants in several charitable organizations in the communities they service and believe in supporting those communities that have supported their business for so many years.
