It’s very hard to get rid of bedbugs once they’ve infiltrated your home. The good news is that if you know what to look for — and are diligent about taking precautions — you’ll greatly decrease your risk of an infestation. Here are some essential tips for protecting your home from these pests.

Top 5 Bedbug Prevention Tips

1. Clean Out Clutter

Bedbugs hide in everyday items like clothing, bedding, and luggage. If your home is cluttered and untidy, you’re providing these pests with their ideal living and breeding environment. Vacuum regularly, keep your floors and closets clear, and store your blankets, sheets, and seasonal clothing in air-tight bags on a high shelf.

2. Seal Up Cracks

The cracks and crevices around elements like electrical sockets and baseboards are ideal hiding places for bedbugs. They also provide passage between walls — which is particularly problematic if you live in an apartment building. Use caulk or a foam sealant to stop up cracks, fissures, and gaps.

3. Do Laundry With Care

A laundromat or shared laundry room is like a bus depot for bedbugs. Make sure they don’t catch a ride on your clothes by transporting your laundry in tied plastic bags instead of open laundry baskets. Refrain from placing clean clothes on countertops, folding tables, and floors.

4. Check Luggage & Second-Hand Items 

Bedbugs also move from place to place by hitching rides on fabrics and furniture. Before unpacking your suitcase from a trip or bringing a second-hand couch home, carefully inspect it for signs of bedbugs. This can include live pests (which are tiny, brown, and flat), their eggs or eggshells, and the small, ink-like spots that are left behind by their excrement.

5. Know When to Call for Help

Contact a pest control company immediately if you spot any signs of bedbugs. You’re more likely to prevent a full-blown infestation, and professional treatment is typically quicker and more cost effective the sooner the issue is addressed.

If you think you might have bedbugs, contact Denning Pest Control in Jefferson City, MO, today. Serving Mid and Central Missouri, including Columbia, the expert exterminators at this fully-licensed pest control company have provided highly effective treatment services for over 60 years. They’re ready to rid your home or business of rodents, termites, spiders, and other pesky critters. Visit their website to see a full list of their services, and call (573) 442-4010 to schedule an appointment.