If you've ever had bed bugs, you know how irritating these pests are and how difficult it can be to get rid of them. The pesky critters, which feed on blood and leave behind itchy bite marks, can infest furniture, bedding, baggage and clothing. Though they typically feed every five to 10 days, they can survive up to a year without doing so, making them frustratingly resilient.
To prevent bed bugs from taking over your house, you should consider some of these helpful and effective tips courtesy of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
Check hotels and secondhand furniture – Before you sleep in a bed that isn't your own or bring home items from a thrift shop or a yard sale, it's important to make sure there aren't any signs of bed bugs. Check along the piping and seams of the furniture for evidence of dark spots (excrement), eggs and eggshells, skins shed by nymphs and rusty stains that may have been caused by the pests being crushed.
Reduce clutter in your home – The more stuff you have lying around, the easier it is for bed bugs to find places to hide and reproduce.
Use a protective mattress covering – These products, such as the Pristine Basic Mattress Encasing, feature tightly woven fabrics that create a barrier between your mattress and the pests that could try to access it. Not only will this keep you safe from bed bugs, but it can also prevent dust mites from bothering you while you sleep.
To learn more about bedding and other allergy products that can protect you from common irritants and unwanted critters, check out the Allergy Be Gone website here.
