Wrapping Up Bed Bug Awareness Week: Key Takeaways and Tips

As Bed Bug Awareness Week 2024 comes to a close, we at Preferred Pest & Wildlife want to thank our community for joining us in spreading awareness about these persistent pests. Here’s a recap of the essential facts and prevention tips we shared throughout the week, along with some final advice on how to keep your home bed bug-free.

Key Bed Bug Facts

• • Global Presence: Bed bugs are found worldwide and were brought to the U.S. from Europe in the 17th century.
  • Diet: They primarily feed on humans but can also consume blood from birds, mice, and pets.
  • Size and Shape: Adults are just under ¼” long, relatively flat, and oval-shaped.
  • Reproduction: A single bed bug can lay one to five eggs per day and over 500 in its lifetime.
  • Longevity: Bed bugs can survive for several months without feeding.
  • Temperature Tolerance: They can endure temperatures from nearly freezing up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.<
  • Feeding Habits: Bed bugs feed for about five minutes and can ingest seven times their own weight in blood.

Prevention Tips Recap

• Pet Area Inspections: Regularly check areas where your pets sleep for signs of bed bugs, such as small, pepper-like stains, molted skins, and white sticky eggs.
• Second-Hand Furniture: Avoid bringing second-hand furniture, especially mattresses and box springs, into your home without a thorough inspection.
• Hotel Room Checks: When staying in hotels, inspect the room before unpacking. Look behind headboards and in furniture seams for signs of bed bugs.
• Luggage Safety: Keep your suitcases in plastic trash bags or protective covers during hotel stays to prevent bed bugs from hitching a ride. Do not place luggage on the bed.
• Homecoming Routine: After traveling, inspect all suitcases and belongings before bringing them inside your home.
• Laundry Protocol: Wash all clothes, even those unworn, in hot water and dry them on the highest heat setting immediately after returning from a trip.Final Advice and Action Steps
  Professional Help: If you suspect a bed bug infestation, contact Preferred Pest Control immediately. Bed bugs can be difficult to eliminate without expert intervention.
  Regular Inspections: Schedule regular bed bug inspections to catch any potential infestations early. Early detection is key to preventing a small problem from becoming a large one.
  Stay Informed: Continue educating yourself and your family about bed bug prevention and signs of infestation. Awareness is your best defense against these persistent pests.
  Rest Assured Program: Enroll in our Rest Assured Program for ongoing bed bug prevention and insurance. This comprehensive service offers peace of mind by ensuring your home remains bed bug-free with regular inspections and prompt treatments if bed bugs are detected.Our Commitment to You
  At Preferred Pest Control our goal is to protect your home and family from all types of pests, including bed bugs. Our experienced team uses the latest methods and technologies to provide effective and safe pest control solutions.
  For more information or to schedule a bed bug inspection, visit our website or call us today. Thank you for participating in Bed Bug Awareness Week 2024 and helping us spread the word about bed bug prevention and control.

  Stay vigilant and stay bed bug-free!