Throughout 2014, Chicago was often on the news for reports of widespread bed bug infestations in everything from public transportation to office buildings to public institutions such as schools, libraries and movie theaters. Now, in a nationally published list, Chicago has received the dubious distinction of being listed as the country’s top bed bug city, making it the third year in a row it has been noted for such. 
Despite ongoing efforts to combat this pest presence, Chicago residents continue to suffer from infestations from quite the pernicious pest. The city has made efforts to educate its citizens about the pest problem and how it can be dealt with by landlords, tenants, and public officials. Even for those not in Chicago, bed bugs remain a significant threat, so take the time to learn the main steps in handling their presence.
Top Techniques to Deal with Bed Bugs
1. Always Aim for Prevention
You can highly reduce the possibility of contracting bed bugs in the first place. When returning home from trips, vacuum your suitcase and wash all clothes. Never bring home second-hand furniture (especially mattresses) unless you’ve had them examined by a professional. And regularly inspect your home for potential bed bug presence.
2. Learn the Signs
If inspecting your home for bed bugs, they most regularly infest mattresses, box springs, or bed frames. One clear sign of bed bugs is the bites they leave on exposed skin while people are sleeping (as they survive solely on blood). Look for small, oval insects about the size of an apple seed.
3. Reduce Potential Hiding Space
While bed bugs are not necessarily drawn to dirty or cluttered spaces, garbage or dust can offer them more hiding spaces and make them harder to detect. Keeping a tidy home–especially the bedrooms–can both reduce infestation potential and make bed bugs easier to spot.
4. Regularly Wash Clothes and Linens
Wash and heat-dry your bed sheets, blankets, bed spreads, and any clothes that ever come into contact with the floor (and don’t forget to clean your laundry hampers as well). Also, consider investing in a bed bug encasement cover for your mattress, which can help seal your bed and prevent a growing infestation.
View this National Geographic report on bed bugs to learn more about this pest and the many problems they can cause. This is not an infestation you want to allow into your home and, if it ever does occur, should be addressed as soon as possible to avoid potential health complications.
Contact EcoShield today to have your bed bug pest problem dealt with immediately.