COVID-19 has made every aspect of life more difficult—including pest control. Because of the virus and self-isolation procedures, many people are concerned about allowing professional pest control specialists inside their homes.
While it’s important to be safe with COVID-19 and take the appropriate precautions, bed bugs can’t be ignored. This pest control problem needs to be addressed as soon as possible before it gets worse. Bed bugs won’t cut you slack because there is a pandemic!
Nationwide Pest Control provides pest control services that include the safe removal of bed bugs. Our specialists are especially cautious due to COVID-19 and take all of the appropriate measures to keep your family and you safe.
The complications caused by COVID-19 are difficult enough. You don’t need to deal with a bed bug infestation on top of a pandemic.
Are Bed Bugs Able to Spread COVID-19?
In short, no. There is no evidence currently that links bed bugs to the coronavirus. There are a lot of issues that come with a bed bug infestation, but COVID-19 is not one of them.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Bed bugs have a distinctive look to them and, if you know what to look for, you’ll recognize them quickly. Below are some of the traits of bedbugs:
- Small size, usually around ¼-inch big
- Dark red or brown in color
- Small heads and large bodies
- They group into clusters, as a zigzag, or in a line
- They leave blood marks on mattresses, sheets, or wherever they end up
- They leave fecal matter spots wherever they live
Bed bugs are small, so they can go unnoticed for a period of time. They’ll let you know they are there, though. If you start itching and you don’t know why you should check your bed and your home for bedbugs. Once you find them, you can begin the process of removing them.
What You Need to Know About Bed Bugs and COVID-19
Bed bugs are annoying critters that are best known for their infestation of beds. While they definitely do live in beds, they don’t always stay there. Bed bugs tend to find their way around your home over time and infest wall outlets, couches, suitcases, and more. From there, they bite and become a general nuisance.
Bed bug infestations grow very quickly. While the numbers may start off small, they can quickly grow to a massive infestation of dozens of bed bugs. If you notice bed bugs, take action quickly. Don’t allow the infestation to spread!
How to Prevent Bed Bugs
There are a few things that you can do to take action and prevent bed bugs from making their way into your home.
One easy step you can take to avoid bed bugs is to check your clothing when you’ve been away from your home for a while. If you’ve taken a trip and stayed at a hotel, make sure you check your clothing once you return. Due to COVID-19, your loved one or you may have spent some time in the hospital. While it’s less likely that you would get bed bugs from the hospital, you should still check your clothing when you return home.
Any time you purchase clothing, make sure you check them when you bring them home and wash them. This is especially important if you purchased your clothing used. Also, wash your clothing any time you have returned home from a trip. Along with your clothing, make sure you wash your sheets often. You also may want to consider using a mattress and box spring cover. These make it easier to see a bed bug infestation and keep your mattress and box spring safe.
Bed bug infestations can happen in individual homes, but they are more common in row houses and apartment complexes (due to proximity). If you find out that your neighbor had bed bugs, be vigilant and check your home for bed bugs just in case.
If you can, avoid purchasing used mattresses or furniture. Bed bugs can catch a ride on these. If you do purchase used furniture, make sure you check it for bed bugs.
One simple step you can take to reduce the chances of a bed bug infestation is cleaning and vacuuming your home regularly.
If you find bed bugs, contact Nationwide Pest Control. We’ll send a specialist out to check the rest of your home for bed bugs and we’ll work to remove the infestation. From there, we’ll put measures in place to ensure the infestation doesn’t return.
With a little extra vigilance, you should be able to avoid a bed bug infestation.
Bed Bug Increases After Reopening
With recent shutdowns, bed bug infestations have been less likely. With that said, the world has begun to open back up recently. While this is a positive thing in general, it also means more exposure to pests like bed bugs. This is especially so with more people traveling and staying in hotels. Make sure if you start traveling that you check for bed bugs when you return.
Reach Out Today with Any Questions
If you have any questions about bed bugs, reach out to Nationwide Pest Control today. We’d be happy to address your bed bug issue. If you would like to know about our policies during COVID-19, we’ll be happy to discuss those with you as well. Safety is important to us, and we will ensure your safety while our specialist is visiting your home to provide pest control treatment.
Bed bugs are frustrating, but they don’t have to be permanent. Contact us if you notice bed bugs in your home. We’ll dispatch a specialist so they can check your house. Once they’ve discovered where the infestation is occurring, they will be able to treat those areas and put measures in place to avoid the bed bugs returning.
We look forward to speaking with you and helping you with your bed bug infestation.
