Are You Thinking Of Moving And Leaving Your Bed Bugs Behind?

Believing that moving to a new house is easier than eliminating bed bugs, you would be wrong! Well, that is unless you are going to leave EVERYTHING behind. The sad fact is that all you will achieve by moving is providing a new home for your bugs! Your best course of action is to eradicate the bed bug infestation before moving.
If you have no other choice but moving, then you should take extreme precautions so that you do not bring them into your new home.
The chances are, that if you only have a mild infestation which is isolated to your bed, then you can rest assured that you will move into your new house without them.

Packing Up

It is important that you be meticulous in your packing if you want to avoid taking the bed bugs with you. We set out below some important steps that you should follow while packing:

• Mattress encasements for each one is ideal; you will also need to get one for each box spring too. Be sure to only install them on moving day.

• LED flashlight will be needed your inspections

• Be sure to wash and dry (on the hottest dryer setting) all the clothes you are taking. Seal them in a clear plastic bag and mark them with a label (“Clean”).

• For bed linen, pillows and any other fabric you intend to take, wash and dry as stated above. If any of your clothes are clean and dry, just put them in the dryer for 20 minutes because the heat will kill any bed bugs.

• If you have any items you are unable to launder, you should examine them very carefully for bugs, then store them away in plastic bags. Small appliances, picture frames, books, decorations and anything that a bed bug can live in, or was in the infestation area should also be stored in plastic bags.

Handling items that cannot be washed and dried.

Should you only find yourself with a mild infestation, then all you need to do is inspect every item carefully. Pay particular attention to items located near your bed. Your local hardware store will have bed bug products which you can use to spray on your headboard, bed frame, screw holes in the frame, and crevices and cracks

You could also treat the items which were close to the bed with Hot-Shot-No-Pest or Nuvon strips. These items must be packed loosely in a bag and then sealed with a strip inside. You will have to leave the bag sealed for at least two weeks so the product can work. If you can leave it longer, then that is better. Be sure you follow the instructions for any product you use.

If you have used your couch at any time for sleeping, or there are any active signs of bed bugs, it is going to be a difficult item to treat. It is recommended that you contact you a qualified Pest Control expert.

Moving Day

On the day you move, there are still some further precautions you should take so that you leave the bugs behind. Your pets are included in this too, not just your family members.

• Give your pets a bath. Once you have washed them, make sure they remain outside, so they do not get infested again before you move..

• Ask your family members to take showers and put on clean clothes on the journey to your new house. Seal the dirty clothes in a plastic encasement bag and label it “DIRTY,” so that you can wash it later.

• Empty out any piece of furniture that has storage space, like, cabinets, dressers, and tables. Remove the cushions from your chairs and couches. You can then inspect the furniture properly for bed bugs once it is bare.

• Install your box spring and mattress in your pre-purchased encasements.

Additional Things To Do

Apart from the precautions stated above, to ensure that you do not leave your bed bug problem for someone else to have to deal with, there are a few more things you need to do. Bed bugs can take over an entire apartment complex or duplex quickly if allowed to spread.

• Ensuring the property manager and landlord are aware there are bed bugs. Either of them should get in touch with a qualified Pest Control expert to ensure the property undergoes treatment as soon as it is vacant. This will ensure the bed bugs do not spread any further.

• Do not leave any furniture or item curbside or in the dumpster to avoid salvagers taking it home and having their property infested too.

• A good offense is the best defensive strategy against bed bugs. Read any material information you can and educate yourself on the subject. Get an idea of what they look like and how infestations can spread through a property, and the environment they need to survive. The better armed you are, the more likely you will be able to stop them in their tracks before they have time to multiply.