Winter is the time to get away from it all. Which would include the snow, your mother-in-law and your hyperactive Terrier named Snuggles who is anything but. Yet as appealing as all that sounds you don't want to bring any unwanted little friends back with you. That would be friends of the six legged variety like bed bugs for example. Doing so would make hip deep snow, your wife's mom (a lovely woman) and the ever playful Snuggles seem like a welcome sight indeed.
Yet travel is just how many become reacquainted with these insect relics of the last century when technology supposedly triumphed over bug. Guess not. But at the time DDT just about wiped these buggers out. But in the world of bugs there's a huge difference between just about and did. Because those that survived the chemical warfare waged against them developed resistance to just about any bed bug killer. Good for them. Bad for us. Which is why these pests are now found in homeless shelters, cabs and buses, at the symphony, and as you may have heard by now, hotel rooms. They surely love the hotel and motel rooms where they get to stay free and meals are served on demand.
Anyway these oval shaped, brownish colored bugs feed on mammal blood. But their favorite type is human blood. Type O, A whatever, doesn't matter. Often after feeding they'll leave a little calling card otherwise known as bed bug poop on the bedding somewhere. These spots might be mistaken for mold by some. But they are a sure sign bed bugs are around when discovered on the mattress or sheets or behind the head board.
Now it's said these mini vampires do their best work in the dark. Otherwise they spend their time whiling away the hours waiting for it to get dark while working up quite an appetite in hiding. Cracks and crevices in baseboards, furniture, even behind peeling wallpaper can be called home.
But what is one to do when upon returning from a fun winter getaway to some sunny Caribbean isle not yet ravaged by hurricanes only to discover you did too bring back bed bugs with you? The fun stops then. These pests are tough to get rid of and if you've found one you can bet there are more where they came from. Many more. Be prepared to take a hit to the wallet. One not likely covered by your homeowners insurance either.
At this point you want to resist the impulse to pitch everything in an effort to throw the bugs out. That's not going to work. Oh it may eliminate those who have taken up residence in hiding on those particular items. But there's clothing, your suitcase perhaps, and all sorts of other stuff to consider. You planning on pitching everything in your quest from bed bug bondage? I didn't think so.
Actually now is the time to become familiar with your vacuum cleaner. And to learn about such arcane ways of treating the problem such as thermal remediation, steaming, and freezing. Notice insecticides didn't make the short list. With some exterminators they may as part of an overall comprehensive treatment program. But certainly not as your first line of defense.
You want to wash everything. At the hottest setting the label allows. Or you could put items of clothing into black garage bags and after tightly securing them let them sit in the sun. Or maybe in the trunk of your car on a sunny day. Anywhere the temps exceed 120 degrees F can bake the life out of the bugs.
Cold can work too. So if it's freezing cold outside, do the same only finding a snow drift to stow the bags in. As long as it stays near zero for a week or longer cold works. Just, as you may have noticed, not as fast as heat. Which can produce the results you seek, that is exploding bed bugs, in a matter of hours. Well, okay the exploding bugs part is a stretch. But the heat will dehydrate and kill them in hours.
Now next time you hit the road you might look at ways to keep these home invaders at arms distance.
For one you can look into luggage encasements that offer the reassurance of bed bug resistant zippers. You can still access your stuff but the bugs can't. Some would advise these best be used one time only. And that you leave them behind rather than pack them up since there could be bed bug eggs on them somewhere. Not likely. But do you really want to chance it?
Also never bring your luggage into any hotel room that you haven't given the thorough once over first in search for the calling cards bed bugs typically leave behind. Reason being just because the previous occupant didn't notice the rash up and down their arm, doesn't mean you won't.
Well, let's hope none of this ever happens to you. And that as you get off the plane, you'll see your mother-in-law holding a squirming Snuggles there to welcome you back. While the snow is drifting and blowing outside something fierce. Considering the alternatives is that really all that bad?
Ever wonder where do bed bugs come from? Ever think that rash might be bed bugs bites? Sounds like you need to visit the popular bedbug site http://www.bedbugbedlum.com/. There you can find more tips like these that can prevent a nasty bedbug infestation.
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