If you’re a homeowner, tenant, or even the apartment property manager, you need to know how bed bugs travel. Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs don’t just magically appear in your home- they come from someone else’s infestation. Let’s take a closer look at how these pesky little critters make their way from one place to another so that you can better protect yourself and your loved ones.
How Do Bed Bugs Travel From Apartment To Apartment
How easily do bed bugs transfer?
Bed bugs are experts at hitchhiking- they’ll ride on just about anything in order to get from one place to another. Clothing, luggage, and even furniture can all provide a perfect mode of transportation for these pests.
What’s the most common way for bed bugs to spread?
The most common way for bed bugs to spread is by hitchhiking on people. These pests are great at hiding in small spaces, which makes them the perfect stowaways. When someone travels, they may unknowingly bring bed bugs with them to their destination. From there, the bed bugs will start to look for a new place to call home- and your apartment could be next on their list.
Can bedbugs travel through walls?
While bed bugs can travel through cracks and crevices, they generally don’t travel through walls. However, if an infestation is heavy enough, bed bugs may be able to smell their way to a new food source- meaning that your apartment could be at risk even if there’s no physical connection to the infested unit.
How quickly do bed bugs spread in apartment buildings?
Bed bugs can spread quickly in apartment buildings because they can travel between units through cracks and crevices. It’s important to act quickly if you think you have an infestation, as bed bugs can lay up to 500 eggs in their lifetime- meaning that the problem will only get worse if left untreated.
What should you do if you think you have bed bugs?
If you think you may have bed bugs, it’s important to take action right away. These pests reproduce quickly, so the sooner you get rid of them, the better. Contact a professional pest control company to schedule an inspection and treatment. In the meantime, try to keep your home as clean and clutter-free as possible to make it less inviting for bed bugs.
Airbnb bed bug problem are pesky pests that can be difficult to get rid of once they’ve taken up residence in your home. By understanding how these critters travel, you can take steps to prevent an infestation from happening in the first place. If you think you may already have bed bugs, don’t wait to take action- the sooner you start treatment, the better.
How can you prevent bed bugs from spreading to your apartment?
There are a few simple steps that you can take to prevent bed bugs from spreading to your apartment.
- Check for bed bugs when you move into a new apartment.
If you’re moving into a new apartment and a neighboring unit has been treated for bed bugs, ask the property manager to let you know if the infestation has been declared eradicated. It’s possible that the treatment will work and the problem will be solved. If the treatment has been successful and the bed bugs have been eliminated, you can rest assured that your unit is not infested.
But if the manager tells you that the problem is ongoing, you’ll have time to take precautions. Even if you don’t know which unit has bed bugs, there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of becoming infested.
- Before bringing any furniture into your home, inspect it carefully for signs of bed bugs. Look for black specks, which are droppings, small bloodstains, or rusty spots from crushed bed bugs that appear when you crush them.
- If you’re moving furniture that was in an infested unit, seal it in a bag and keep it that way until you’ve had a chance to inspect it thoroughly and/or treat it. This can greatly reduce the risk of bringing bed bugs home with your belongings.
- Inspect your belongings for any signs of bed bugs before bringing them into your home
If you see signs of bed bugs on a piece of furniture or an appliance, don’t bring it into your home. In some cases, you may be able to return it to the store or have it treated to kill the bed bugs. Otherwise, you’ll be responsible for getting rid of them yourself. If you aren’t sure whether a stain or speck is a sign of a bed bug infestation, leave it alone and call for professional help. Even if you’re certain it’s bed bugs, don’t try to treat the infestation yourself. Bed bugs are tricky pests to get rid of, and you don’t want them to spread to your home.
- Keep your bedroom clean and clutter-free
Keeping your bedroom clean and clutter-free not only makes it more pleasant to spend time in but also reduces the risk of bed bugs hiding there. Bed bugs like dark and cluttered areas, so keeping your bedroom tidy can help keep them away. Hiring a professional cleaner like Express Home Maids can help your place clean.
- Avoid storing things in your bedroom, including large items like books, suitcases, and boxes. If you must keep things in your bedroom, put them on shelves or in closets.
- Keep your bed frame clear of clutter. Bed frames are a common hiding spot for bed bugs, and a clear surface makes it easier to inspect them.
- Avoid crowding your bed with pillows and sheets, which can provide a cozy place for bed bugs to hide.
- Vacuum your mattress and furniture regularly
If you find a bed bug infestation in your home, vacuuming your mattress and furniture regularly can help keep the infestation from spreading. If you see signs of bed bugs, don’t wait to vacuum your furniture — do it immediately. And keep vacuuming your mattress and furniture every few weeks, even if you don’t see any signs of bed bugs. This can help prevent them from making a home in your furniture in the first place.
- Treat your mattress like you would any other piece of furniture that gets dirtied often. Vacuum the surface, the inside, and the outside of your mattress regularly to help prevent bed bugs from taking up residence inside it.
- If you find bed bugs in your mattress, immediately throw it away and buy a new one. Bed bug infestations are difficult to treat, and there’s a good chance they will spread to your new mattress if you don’t get rid of the old one.
- Use a mattress encasement to protect your mattress from bed bugs.
A bed bug mattress encasement is a special cover that protects your mattress from bed bugs. It’s the best way to protect your mattress from bed bugs if you see signs of an infestation in another unit or if you’ve discovered bed bugs in your own mattress. Make sure to get a mattress encasement that is specifically designed for keeping bed bugs out.
A bed bug mattress encasement traps any bed bugs inside it and prevents them from getting to your mattress. It’s an effective barrier against an infestation and a useful tool to have on hand if you think a neighboring unit has bed bugs. It’s also a good idea to keep one on hand if you’ve found bed bugs in your own mattress to prevent them from spreading to your other furniture.
- If you think you have bed bugs, call a professional immediately.
If you’re certain that you have a bed bug infestation, don’t waste time trying to get rid of them yourself. Bed bugs are tricky pests to get rid of, and you don’t want them to spread to your neighbors. If you’ve found bed bugs in your apartment, alert your neighbors and property management so they can take steps to prevent the problem from spreading.
Don’t try to treat the infestation yourself; you’ll only make the problem worse. If you’ve found bed bugs in your home, immediately call a professional to treat the infestation. Put your belongings in bags and seal them until the problem has been solved to prevent the pests from spreading. Bed bugs can be a big nuisance, but they’re also easy to prevent if you’re vigilant. By following these tips, you can keep your home bed bug-free — and keep those pests from spreading to your neighbors, too.
By following these simple tips, you can help to prevent bed bugs from spreading to your apartment. However, if you do end up with an infestation, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional for help. Bed bugs are difficult to get rid of on your own, and the sooner.
