When you have bed bugs, getting rid of them can be very difficult. If you're worried about these blood-sucking pests, the following preventative measures will reduce your chances of suffering from an infestation.

Relocate Your Pets

Unlike parasites, bed bugs don't live on or inside their hosts; they just feed on them. While they prefer human flesh, they may get a taste for your pets as well. If you suspect a problem, move your pet to another wing of your house or see if a friend would like to do some pet-sitting for a few days. During this time, thoroughly clean all of their toys, bedding and anything else that could harbour bed bugs.

Create Bed Bug Traps

Like any other animal, bed bugs need food to stay alive; therefore, when you cut off their supply—you and your family—they will starve to death. Don't worry, you don't have to move out or sleep elsewhere, you simply have to deter them from your bed. Make bed bug traps by mixing two teaspoons of granulated sugar with a cup of warm water (they feed on the sugar). Place the cups by your bed posts and places where they could hide, such as bedside cabinets. While traps won't eradicate a serious infestation, they can serve as a viable preventative measure.

Heat-Dry Anything Fabric

Washing your clothes, sheets, blankets and bedspreads on 60 degrees centigrade should be your first line of defence, but to ensure all of the bed bugs die, heat-dry everything in a tumble dryer as well. Bed bugs die when their body temperature reaches 45 degrees centigrade. Heat-drying your fabrics after they've been washed will expose the bed bugs to high temperatures for a longer period of time, making it less likely that they'll survive.

Separate Travel Laundry

Whenever you travel, place your luggage bag or suit in a rack away from the wall or inside a dry bathtub; otherwise, wrap it up in a bin liner to prevent any bed bugs from getting inside. Do not place it on the bed. If you notice any signs of bed bugs, tell your host immediately and change rooms. When you get home, wash all of your clothes straight away and vacuum the inside of your bag or suitcase.

These tips are merely preventative measures. If you ever find bed bugs for get bitten, call a professional bed bug treatment service. The longer you wait the worse it will get; therefore, call at the first sign of bed bugs.  

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