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.