The thought of those little buggers just makes your skin crawl, doesn’t it? Little mites crawling around while you’re sleeping peacefully… Well, if you would like to maintain that restful sleep, then read on.
We have a few little hints and tips that can help keep the bugs at bay, rather than allowing them rent-free residence in your home and your bed! (Cheeky things)
- Prevention is Key
As the saying goes, ‘prevention is better than cure’ and we couldn’t be more in agreement on this one. By taking a few steps to better protect yourself and your home, you could really save a lot of hassle in the future.
- Hotel Room Inspector
Typically speaking, it is probably not what we would choose to do, but having a good look at your hotel mattress can save many problems further down the line. When you first arrive, spend a minute or so looking under the sheets, around the headboard and in the corners of the mattress. You are looking for brown-coloured spotting or the bugs themselves.
Of course should you see anything suspicious, do NOT unpack and speak to the manager immediately.
- Don’t Bring Home Extra Friends
If you have been unfortunate enough to experience bed bugs, be sure not to bring them back home with you too. The best thing to do is to unpack OUTSIDE of your home, perhaps a garage, outbuilding or external hallway and then run all the clothes through a hot-wash cycle.
Disinfect your suitcase with specialist strips that you place inside, put the luggage in a bin liner and then leave for a few weeks. The contained pesticides will kill off any further bugs, better than having to do the entire house, right?
- Which Bite is That?
Before you jump to any conclusions, be sure that any bites you see on yourself or family members are not those of a mosquito or a flea. Typically, you will find the bites in small clusters of three.
If you sleep in pyjamas, you are likely to find the little nibbles on areas that are exposed, such as the ankles, the arms, the face and the shoulders. If you do notice anything suspicious, the same inspection as you would have done in the hotel needs to be carried out.
- Is it Time to Call a Pro?
If upon inspection, you get that horrible niggling feeling that something just isn’t as it should be, get in touch with the experts. Many people trying to make a buck these days, will claim they know what they’re doing, but check and then re-check again.
Remember, there is a reason there are experts in this trade, over-the-counter pesticides can, in fact, increase the problem. Any insects that are not killed initially will sense the chemicals and flee to a different location within your home.
In the interim, ensure you vacuum twice a day, including the mattress, and be sure to empty the contents straight away in an external bin. Also, it is worth washing all your bedding and clothes on a hot cycle.
- Prevention Pt.2
There is the option to buy covers and encasements for a good quality mattress that allow you to create a barrier between you and the wee nippers. These are also really great for those that have allergens or suffer from asthma.
Most of these can also be washed normally, with no detrimental special effects on their proficiency.
- Don’t Panic!
It isn’t necessarily going to cost you an entire re-furnishing of your home and a full new wardrobe to eliminate the problem. This is only in the most severe circumstances, of which forms around 10% of all infestations.
Living in a clean home with good housekeeping will enable you to lessen the concern of any infestation. However, if you’re in any for of doubt, give us a call today!
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