Bed Bugs: Two words that can strike fear into any college student’s heart (not to mention the hearts of their parents). The truth is that bed bugs are a known problem in group living situations, like it or not. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to prevent the problem and sleep easy at night.
1. Be extra careful after moving – bed bugs usually get into the home after hitching a ride on belongings that were with you while you traveled. Always check for bed bugs before unloading your luggage, unpacking boxes, etc.
2. Whenever you get new clothing, especially if they’re hand-me-downs from other people, wash them thoroughly before wearing the clothing or even before putting the clothes away in your closet.
3. When you get home from vacation, vacuum your luggage after unpacking and before storing it away. Also, toss all of your clothing into the laundry, even if it’s already clean – better to be safe than sorry!
4. Before traveling, check out online reviews – have recent guests (or any guests, for that matter) reported a bed bug problem? Better to change hotels than to find out the hard way that there’s an infestation that may follow you home. You may also want to do your research when it comes to the airline you’re taking.
5. Moving into a dorm? Places where a lot of people live in close quarters are notorious for getting bed bugs. Luckily, products like the ones sold at http://www.bedbug.com/bed-bug-dorm-room-protection-smart-buy.html are meant to prevent a bed bug problem before it even begins.
6. Never bring used furniture into the house without inspecting it first. Check everywhere – underneath cushions, on the bottom of the furniture, in crevices, and anywhere else a tiny little bug could creep in. Keep your eyes peeled for dark brown or red stains.
Worst case scenario? You have bed bugs…or do you? Known how to identify this bug: it’s reddish-brown and the body is flat and oval. While bed bugs usually stay close to the bed, they do sometimes spread out to other rooms – don’t assume that if you see the bugs elsewhere, that they’re not bed bugs. On the same note, don’t assume that a bug in the bedroom is a bed bug! Find out exactly what the pest is before taking the extreme measures necessary for getting rid of bed bugs.