Apartment Living: Strategies for Blocking Out Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are not a part of your renter’s contract and unwelcome additions to any purchased home. However, those who are not proactive soon find themselves stuck with infestation problems that threaten human health, impact bank accounts, and anger neighbors.
Don’t be a victim of disgusting squatters; do something to block the infestation of bed bugs now.
Tell a Landlord
It’s a landlord’s responsibility to address a range of tenant issues including bug infestation. Property owners inspect apartments for signs of bed bugs and other critters. Since bed bug infestation spreads quickly, it’s important for owners to remain vigilant. Additionally, tenants must bring things to the attention of the proper parties. Don’t wait until it’s too late; pick up the phone and call a landlord or a pest service like Pest Control Tulsa.
Defend Your Land
Property owners own land underneath and around the domicile too. Unfortunately, quarters could be clean and free of pests, but a neighbor creates an outbreak that soon involves your property. However, defending your land and introducing pest control is a proactive and smart decision. Why wait until you’re infested to apply bug deterrent outside, in radiators around the property, in crevices inside the house, etc?
Contact a Service
Contact a termination service if you suspect potential infestation. An experienced professional helps identify pests and counsels homeowners about ways to prevent a potential outbreak. A number of sprays and bug killers are available to the public, yet inexperience, or a failed post-application assessment by an inexperienced eye, facilitates eventual infestation.
Avoid Communal Areas
Pubic areas are rife with potential for infestation. The likelihood of infestation increases greatly due to the number of people coming and going to public areas. Avoid communal areas like public Laundromats; moreover, limit contact with public surfaces such as folding tables when using laundry facilities in your building. Bed bugs survive cold-water washes; so, use hot water, and set the dryer to a temperature in excess of 122 degrees to kill bugs and eggs that came along for the ride after a vacation or business trip.
Limit Contact
If you live in a large building with partial outbreaks, limit contact with building common areas and those living there. It’s kind to be inviting to neighbors, but it is a mistake to let someone sit on your couch and chair who has an infestation problem. Bed bugs attach themselves to clothes, hair, etc; lay eggs; and, then wreak havoc on unsuspecting victims – no one plans to being infested with bed bugs! Be smart in limiting contact and avoiding certain places and people.
Buy Bug-Proof
Buy a quality bug-proof mattress encasement. The sacks are tight enough to prevent bugs from getting inside. Also, quality products are strong enough to prevent bugs from biting their way inside.
In addition to bug-proof mattress covers, search online for similar travel products. Most infestation occurs due to travel or hosting those coming straight from airports, hotels, and areas that see many travelers.
Be Kind
Be kind to the environment, humans, and pets when treating your home or outside perimeter. Particular chemicals used by vendors are harmful to the environment and people. Additionally, some pesticides could get family pets sick or even kill them depending on exposure and intake. However, a range of suppliers and products offer all natural and non-toxic solutions, such as Bed Bug Bully.
Be Consistent
If you live in close quarters with others, a populated area, or a large apartment complex, bed bugs are constant threats. That means staying vigilant when traveling, accepting visitors, and identifying particular types of insects. Write in a journal, noting bed bugs seen daily and weekly, what you’re doing to avoid infestation, and dates associated to contacting property owners and pest control agencies.
Treat and Isolate
There are a number of ways to treat and isolate infestation. As mentioned, setting the dryer on high degrees of heat kills bugs and eggs. Additionally, placing infested items in a bag and a sub-zero degree freezer kills all stages of bug life. Parents can wash toys in hot, soapy water to rid surfaces of bug life. Bugs do not pose immediate threats to humans, though usually accompanied by poor living habits and allergens, which threatens the health of pets and young children. Keep your home and apartment clean while treating and isolating items. Infestation is avoided through isolation and immediate treatment.
You want to be snug as a bug when it comes to living comfortably in your living quarters. But, you definitely don’t want bed bugs living happily in your mattress, sofa, or plush chairs. Keep vigilant and proactive to maintain a clean and pest-free environment.
GUEST BLOGGER: Dave Hardie is an office worker in NYC. When he has time off, he likes to sit down and share tips that work for his life. You can find his informative articles on a variety of web sites and blogs.