Bed Bug Awareness Week Starts June 3rd

Bed Bug Awareness Week Starts June 3rd

Are you scratching your head, wondering what Bed Bug Awareness Week is? If so, you’re not alone. There are lots of people who have never heard of it. Hopefully, you’re not scratching your head because you have bed bugs. Because, if you are, we’re too late. The whole purpose of Bed Bug Awareness Week is to empower home and business owners to prevent bed bug infestations from taking root. Bed Bug Awareness Week is coming soon and here’s what you need to know.

Bed bugs are hitchhiking bugs. The more we understand this, the better off we’ll all be. Bed bugs depend on us missing the signs. Sometimes, we even miss identifying these bugs when we see them. When we don’t recognize the threat, we become a carrier for these bugs. Sometimes, the place we carry them is into our own homes.

During Bed Bug Awareness Week, consider sharing the following bed bug facts with your friends and family on social media:

  • Bed bugs aren’t just found in hotels and motels. They have been found in libraries, movie theaters, taxi cabs, police call centers, senior living centers, daycares, college dormitories, and more. While you can definitely pick up a bed bug infestation while on vacation, be aware that bed bugs can get on you anytime you leave your home.

  • You may have heard that bed bugs are too tiny to see, but they aren’t. When they first hatch, they’re pretty small at only 1 mm in length, but they’re also semi-transparent. If a baby bed bug has your blood in its abdomen, you’re going to see it. And you’re going to want to see them. Recognizing a bed bug could alert you to an infestation or help to prevent an infestation from coming home with you. If you see a pale bug with a bright red abdomen, six legs, and two antennae on your skin, it is probably a bed bug. Use a piece of clear tape to trap it for closer inspection.

  • Bed bugs lay their tiny white eggs in cracks, crevices, creases, and other hidden places. These eggs are 1 mm in length and may be in a small batch. A quick inspection of sleeping bags, backpacks, book bindings, and other objects your kids bring back from a sleepover could prevent an infestation from taking root.

  • Always call a professional when bed bugs appear. These insects are extremely difficult to get rid of and DIY bed bug treatments have led to property damage and a loss of human life.

So, there you go. Now you have some sweet bed bug facts to share during Bed Bug Awareness Week which starts June 3rd. If you live in Tennessee, you can trust Russell’s Pest Control to help you get complete control of those tormenting pests.

Avoid Thanksgiving Bed Bugs

Avoid Thanksgiving Bed Bugs

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and you know what that means; this is the time of year when we focus on the things we are thankful for. It is important to take this time to remind ourselves that we are surrounded by good things. Whether it is giving thanks for something small, like the smell of french toast in the morning, or something big, like a new job opportunity, there is something satisfying about taking a moment to take notice of the good things in life. And, there are a lot of things to be thankful for. Sadly, bed bugs aren’t one of them. If you agree, take a moment to familiarize yourself with these bed bug prevention tips.

When Having Guests Over For Thanksgiving

  • Learn what bed bugs look like. Recognizing a bed bug can alert you to an infestation, and prevent an infestation from occurring. Bed bugs may be as small as 1 mm and pale in color or they may be as much as 1.5 mm and rusty-brown in color. If they have had a blood meal, they will be bloated and have a brighter red coloring in their abdomen. This is quite noticeable with tiny pale bed bugs.

  • Once you know what bed bugs look like, do a search for these bugs in locations that your guests will stay. Also, look for secondary evidence of bed bugs: black streaks, tiny black droppings, dried blood stains, shed insect casings, or tiny white eggs. You’ll find these in seams, creases, nooks, and hidden places, especially in areas where a bed or couch is present.

When Travelling For Thanksgiving

  • If you’re going to be staying somewhere along the way, check bedbugregistry.com to see if a report of bed bugs has been filed.

  • Know what bed bugs look like and teach everyone in your family, so you know one when you see one.

  • Always do a quick inspection for bed bugs and signs of bed bugs no matter where you stay.

  • Bed bugs are attracted to clothing after we’ve worn them. Put laundry in a plastic bag while you’re on your vacation, and wash all your laundry on the hottest temperature when you get back.

These tips should help you avoid bed bugs this Thanksgiving. But bed bugs can invade your home any time of the year. If you ever see bed bugs or the signs they leave behind, reach out to Russell’s Pest Control for immediate assistance. Bed bugs are extremely hard to get rid of without an education in pest management. You can trust the bed bug control experts at Russell’s to help you resolve your issue quickly, and get you back to being bed bug-free.