Why Bed Bugs Are Such a Big Fall Pest

There are few pests as disturbing as bed bugs. When these bugs are found in a home, it can cause panic.

This is partly due to the way bed bugs behave. Fleas spring through the air, bite us, and fall off. Mosquitoes fly through the air, bite us, and take off.

Bed bugs crawl upon us, attach to us, and feed on us while we're sleeping. That's just wrong. So wrong.

But the bigger reason these insects instill such fear is related to how difficult they are to get rid of. We've all heard horror stories.

That is why it is important to know as much as we can about these blood-eating pests.

Where Do Bed Bugs Hang Out? 

Bed bugs are an indoor pest. They are rarely found outside. Therefore, the climate outdoors is not really a factor for why bed bugs are a big problem in the fall.

While other pests are trying to get into your home to get away from the cold, bed bugs are already inside (somewhere). They're not hanging out on your exterior walls, looking for a hole or crack to exploit.

Are Bed Bugs More Active During Fall?

The beginning of fall and the beginning of the school year are around the same time. This allows bed bugs the opportunity to go from home to home very easily.

Here are a few reasons why:

⭐ Bed bugs thrive in clutter 

In a cluttered room, it is harder for bed bugs to be seen. And kids often have far more cluttered rooms than adults.

This makes kids more of a target when bed bugs get into a home. It also makes kids more likely to spread bed bugs from home to home.

⭐Bed bugs are drawn to dirty laundry.

If clothing is left on the floor, it is a recipe for disaster. Kids are notorious for leaving their clothes on the floor, especially when they spend the night at someone's house.

⭐Bed bugs are hitchhikers.

They move from one location of infestation to the next by stowing away in carriables. This may be clothing, bedding, sleeping bags, pocketbooks, or duffle bags.

When kids go to school, they have the potential to bring bed bugs with them. If bags, clothing, or other items from two students are stored in close proximity, bed bugs can transfer.

During the school year, kids are more likely to do sleepovers. When kids go from home to home, so can bed bugs.

Spring Break Bed Bug Check List

Swim Suit. Check! Sun block. Check! Beach ball. Check! Are you ready to take on spring break? It can be a little overwhelming trying to make sure you haven't forgotten anything.

But don't worry. You'll be able to check bed bug safety off your list after reading this awesome and informative list.

⭐ Bed bugs do not just infest dirty run down motels. They can be found in nice motels too--as well as hotels, resorts, cruise lines, villas, cottages, huts, and cabins. This bug will live anywhere humans sleep or lounge. They have even been found in movie theaters, bus lines, and airplanes.

⭐ If you want to be sure you're not walking into a disaster, call the place you'll be staying and ask them how they protect against bed bugs. If they say they do routine inspections, that is a good sign. Bed bugs are hard to control, because this isn't a bug that comes in from the outside, it is brought in by guests. The only real way to prevent this bug from being a problem is by having routing bed bug inspections.

⭐ When you arrive, leave your bags in the car, or put them on the hard tile floor in the bathroom to keep them safe.

⭐ Now it is time to do a quick inspection of your room. Peel the covers down and look for bugs. They will look a lot like the bug on this page. Actually, they will look exactly like the bug on this page. Even as baby larvae, bed bugs look the same--only much much smaller.

⭐ Look for dried brown blood stains on pillowcases, sheets, and bed coverings. Bed bugs tend to drip from the mouth after a blood meal. I know: gross.

⭐ Bed bugs like to live inside mattresses, chairs, and couches. Check all of the seams and corners of these items for black sticky gunk. That gunk is feces. And if you find it, it is time to move on to another room, or a new set of accommodations.

⭐ Use a flashlight to check the backboard, furniture, and outlets. If you see tiny brown bugs, you're going to want to identify them. Larvae can bite just as easily as adult bed bugs, even easier.

⭐ During your stay, keep your luggage in plastic bags, and don't leave clothes laying around, especially if you see or hear anything suspicious.

⭐ When you get home, check the seams of your luggage for bugs or white eggs.

⭐ Be sure to wash and dry all your clothes on the hottest temperature. This will kill bed bugs of any stage.

What You Can Do To Prevent a Bed Bug Infestation

Get to know what bed bugs look like in all stages of development so that you can properly identify these insects when you first see them.

Newly hatched bed bugs have six legs, are pale in color, and may have red abdomens if they have recently had a blood meal.

As bed bugs grow, they become tan and then eventually brown.

Adult bed bugs are usually what you'll see on the news but immature bed bugs are the stage of bed bug you're most likely to see.

This means you should be looking for an insect that is pale-white or tan.

It is very important that you are able to identify bed bug eggs as well. These eggs will be about 1 mm long and white in color. You're most likely to find them in crevices, cracks, gaps, and stitching. Bed bugs hide them in such places.

What To Do When Bed Bugs Are Found

If you find an item that has bed bug eggs or adult bed bugs crawling around on them, it doesn't necessarily mean you have an infestation.

If you wash clothes at the hottest temperature it will kill bed bugs in all stages of development. If you find bed bug eggs or bugs crawling on an item, use a vacuum to suck them up and dispose of the bag outside.

For better protection, get a K9 bed bug inspection.

Dogs have the ability to sniff for bed bugs and they can quickly move through your home and let it be known if there are bugs hiding somewhere. If an infestation is uncovered, a pest control professional has many tools at their disposal to ensure the elimination of those bugs.

If you live in DC, Maryland, or Northern Virginia, let American Pest help you safeguard your family. We use the most advanced and trusted bed bug control protocols available and we have a solid track record for resolving bed bug problems.