Bed bugs are a huge threat to homes in North America because they thrive in warm, comfortable places. Manage an existing infestation or prevent them from attacking the safety of your home with these simple tips.

1. Use Vacuum Bags for Storage

Store all your clothing and soft furnishings and bedding in vacuum-sealed bags. This will not allow oxygen to circulate around the bed bugs, killing mature ones as well as eggs. Bed bugs are routinely carried in from hotels. Use these when you travel and you do not have to worry.

2. Check All Items Before You Bring Them Into Your Home

A lot of the time, you can get a great deal on some used items. However, a lot of the time they also hide bed bugs. Check all items thoroughly before adding them to your collection.

3. Get Rid of the Clutter

Clutter and disarray can create a lot of tempting hiding spots for bed bugs. Organize your home and cut back on the places in which they can hide. This can prevent you from transferring bed bugs from outside your home as well as help you easily get to places that must be treated.

4. Get Help From Professionals

The bed bug problem is incredibly widespread and you should never feel ashamed or embarrassed that you are fighting this scourge. Hire a professional service that can easily take care of your problem.

5. Know What They Look Like

Recognizing your enemy is the first step to being free of them. Educate yourself on what bed bugs look like in all stages of growth, as well as what a bite from a bed bug looks like.

6. Coat Your Mattress in Plastic

These plastic mattress covers encase the whole mattress or box spring and will kill any bed bugs that might already be in there as well as prevent new ones from coming.

7. Check Your Home Well for an Infestation

If you are currently fighting against bed bugs, regularly check the status of their infestation. Remove all linens on the bed and check corners and folds to search for the bugs.

8. Do Not Use Moving Blankets

To avoid an infestation in a new home, opt to provide your own blankets and materials for the move. Those provided by a moving service may not be cleaned regularly and no one can say for sure if they are free of bed bugs.

9. Check Your Pets

In addition to your bed, your pet’s bed is a hot spot for bed bug nesting. Be sure to check it and clean it regularly to avoid a bed bug problem.

10. Regularly Check Your Home

No matter what stage you are at in combating this scourge, it is a good idea to check regularly in favorite hiding spots to get a status update on your issue. This can help you know what is working and what needs change.