WHAT TO DO ABOUT BED BUGS IN YOUR COLUMBUS, INDIANA HOME

Just the thought of bed bugs can be overwhelming – how many are there? How did they get here? Where are they all hiding? How quickly are they multiplying? How in the world do you get rid of a pest that is almost invisible to the naked eye during their early stages of life?!

Bed bugs are a problem around the world, and Columbus, Indiana is no exception. Their presence is no indicator of the cleanliness of a home, as they can be easily transported after recent travel and after being in shared spaces like work and school. 

It can be difficult to determine if the infestation is actually bed bugs – telltale signs include rust-colored spots on your sheets and mattress, dark brown or black spots that bleed on the fabric of the sheets, yellowish or translucent eggs or eggshells from shedding cycles, or the actual live bugs themselves. 

As long as bed bugs have a host to feed on at least once every fourteen days, they can continue to mate and reproduce at a rapid rate. If you believe you have bed bugs in your home, it’s best to contact a professional immediately before the problem spreads even more.  

Once a professional does a complete inspection and evaluation, they will discuss treatment options with you and recommend the best way to quickly stop the infestation by killing both the live bugs and their eggs.

After an effective professional treatment eliminates the bed bugs and their eggs, it’s time to go on the defense: 

• Check all secondhand items for bed bugs before they enter your home
• Use protective covers specific to bed bug prevention on your mattresses and box springs
• Reduce clutter, especially around beds and seating areas like recliners and couches
• Vacuum frequently, just in case one sneaks in looking for a host to feed on!
• Be careful when doing laundry in shared facilities – use plastic bags to transport clothes and use a clean plastic bag to take clothes directly home from the dryer. Fold clothes at home. 
• If you live in a multi-family dwelling, install door sweeps and seal any cracks between units that may act as an entry point for bed bugs
• Whether you live in a single- or multi-family home, be extra cautious to store personal belongings separately when you are in shared spaces (i.e. keeping your coat away from those of co-workers, etc.) – shared spaces are an easy place for bed bugs to hitch a ride to a new home!

There are many treatment options for going on the offense against an active bed bug infestation, but the best way to protect your home is by contacting a professional. Suspicious bites on the skin are not enough to determine whether or not you actually have bed bugs – allow a professional to perform a full inspection and develop an effective action plan so you can get rid of those bed bugs once and for all!

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