In recent years, there has been an increase in bed bug infestations across the country. They cause property loss, extreme inconvenience, and can be expensive to exterminate. According to The Center for Disease Control, everyone is at risk for a bed bug infestation, but those who travel often and/or share living areas with others are at greater risk. At the very least, you should be knowledgeable enough to conduct an inspection of your home at regular intervals and after each time you travel. Inspections could save you hassle and cost in the long run.

Start With Your Bed

When you begin to inspect your home, you should definitely check your bed first. This is the most common, but not exclusive, living area for bed bugs. You should lift your mattress and check around the seams. Look in the headboard, box springs, slats, and bases. Any area that is attached to your mattress or close to it should be looked over. Also, examine your sheets for blood spots. Because bed bugs feed on the blood of sleeping people and animals, blood spots on your sheets can be a telltale sign of an infestation.

Other Places to Check

Bed bugs don’t just live in beds! That is a common misconception that will leave you missing important bed bug hideaways. They are most attracted to warmth. You will need to check the areas surrounding your bed as well. The CDC says that bed bugs have been known to travel over 100 feet at night and stay within 8 feet of where people sleep. This opens up the entire 8-foot radius around your bed to our inspection requirements. At Spence’s Pest Control, we also recommended inspecting any areas where you may rest or lie down for an extended period of time. These are the spaces where bed bugs could be hiding. This includes:

• Couches
• Recliners
• Office chairs
• Anything with seat cushions

These pests love to burrow anywhere there is a crease or crevice. You will want to check along the seams and in between fabrics of these spaces. Oftentimes, they hide very well and you can miss their presence without a thorough inspection.

Remember, bed bugs love to inhabit anywhere there is a heating source. You can also find them in baseboards, carpets, curtains, lamps, dressers, and even light sockets. Make sure to check these areas!

Hire a Pro

If you are not confident in your ability to locate a potential bed bug infestation, you should call in a professional pest control company immediately. Spence’s Pest Control specializes in bed bug inspection and extermination. Sometimes it is best to leave these types of inspections to professionals. You don’t want to miss something and leave your home with an infestation that is out of control. We have the training, experience, and equipment to rid your home of these pests. We will also work with you to put a plan in place to combat reinfestation. Give our office a call today at 804-794- 4100 to schedule a free inspection. You may also complete our easy online inspection form to have one of our team members contact you.