Bed bug season (or the time of the year when we hear the most about them) is starting early this year. A few people have asked us why.
Could it be that bed bugs are more common? Is it because peoples’ awareness is increasing? Or is just that time of the year? For the first two we are inclined to say yes. As for the last, there may be a little more to it.
Under optimal conditions, when temperatures are between 83-90° with a humidity between 75-80%, bed bugs take 4-5 weeks to complete their life cycle. Currently we are around 12 weeks out from Thanksgiving and around 7 weeks from Christmas. These are the most traveled holidays in the year, and almost everyone has a holiday visitor or two.
Keep in mind that under the best of conditions bed bugs need 4-5 weeks to complete their life cycle. Is your home or guest “room” always in optimal condition? Probably not. This leads us to believe that the “bed bug season” is more a about exposure and climate conditions (in the exposed area) affecting the propagation period of bed bugs.
So what can you do to reduce your risk of getting the dreaded Bed Bugs?
Ask anyone that will be staying with you, if they have had any issues with bed bugs in the past.
This may seem overly simple and, quite possibly, awkward. If it were my house, I would be more concerned about limiting my exposure and not having to deal with bed bugs, than asking an uncomfortable question. If someone has had an issue, when they arrive, launder all their items. Use the highest heat setting on the dryer that is safe for the items. Tell them to go take a relaxing shower and you will toss the stuff through the wash. After all bed bugs can hide in the clothes they are wearing…
Do you have children that go to school?
Not only can bed bugs hide on clothes they also love to hide in and on bags. If items are stored closely together the bed bugs can transfer from one item to another. This is true anywhere items are in close proximity. If clothing articles, bags, or other items are in an area that have bed bugs there is a chance of them hiding on the items and hitching a ride home with you or your children. Inspect coats and backpacks. A cautious person may consider inspecting coat and bag storage areas at your child’s’ school…
Take a very close look at any second hand items BEFORE they are brought into your home. Investigate in every place you can imagine. If there is a cloth covering the bottom of something, remove it OUTSIDE of your home and inspect the exposed corners and any place you can get eyes on. We have had some complaints about this. I am not sure about you, but I have never had a house guest flip over my couch just to check if the cloth on the bottom was intact. Friendly advise: If your “friends” get all judgmental about the bottom cloth missing, you probably don’t need that negativity in your life.
We hope you NEVER have to deal with bed bugs. If you ever do or know someone that needs help don’t hesitate to give us a call. We will be happy to answer whatever questions we can.
Our number is 208-889-9222!
For more info click the link below.
http://propertyshield.net/bed-bugs/
