Gainesville: 770-536-6734 | Dawsonville: 706-216-1906
The holiday season is a time for joy, family gatherings, and travel. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when bed bugs can hitch a ride into your home. At Duncan Exterminating, we understand how disruptive a bed bug infestation can be–even one is enough to make most people squeamish. To help you enjoy a stress-free holiday season, we’ve compiled five tips to protect your Gainesville and Dawsonville home from these unwelcome guests.
1. Stay Alert While Traveling
Many holiday trips involve staying in hotels, visiting family, or hosting out-of-town guests. Bed bugs are notorious travelers, easily transferring from one location to another via luggage, clothing, or personal items.
Tips to Keep Bed Bugs Away:
Inspect Hotel Rooms: Before settling in, inspect your area for signs of bed bugs. Check the seams of mattresses, box springs, headboards, and upholstered furniture for dark spots, shed skins, or live bugs.
Use Luggage Stands: Keep your suitcase off the bed and floor by using a luggage stand. This minimizes the chance of bugs crawling into your belongings.
Seal Your Belongings: Pack clothes in resealable plastic bags to create an extra barrier against unwanted bed bugs.
2. Check and Protect Your Luggage After Traveling
Once your trip is over, taking a few precautionary steps can help ensure you don’t accidentally bring home any unwanted guests.
Steps to Follow:
Unpack in a Safe Zone: Avoid unpacking in bedrooms or on furniture. Instead, use a garage, laundry room, or other easily sanitized area.
Launder Immediately: Wash all clothes, even unworn items, in hot water and dry them on the highest heat setting. Heat is a proven method for killing bed bugs and their eggs.
Vacuum Your Suitcase: Use a vacuum to clean your luggage thoroughly, paying special attention to seams and pockets. Dispose of the vacuum bag immediately in an outdoor trash can.
Consider Luggage Covers: Investing in bed bug-proof luggage covers can provide an added layer of protection during your travels.
3. Be Cautious When Hosting Guests
Holiday gatherings often mean opening your home to friends and family. While it’s a season of sharing, bed bugs are one thing you don’t want to share.
Best Practices for Hosts:
Provide a Clear Storage Area: Encourage guests to keep luggage off beds and couches by offering a designated space for their belongings.
Inspect Linens After Guests Leave: Inspect guest beds and furniture once your visitors depart for signs of bed bugs.
Vacuum Common Areas: Thoroughly vacuum any spaces where guests stay. Pay close attention to the seams of furniture and baseboards.
4. Shop Smart During the Holidays
Bed bugs can also hitch a ride on secondhand or new items, especially furniture or clothing purchased from thrift stores, yard sales, or even major retailers.
Prevention Tips:
Inspect Secondhand Items: Carefully examine used furniture, clothing, and other items for signs of bed bugs before bringing them into your home.
Sanitize New Purchases: Wash new clothes in hot water and vacuum furniture to eliminate potential unwanted holiday pests.
5. Know the Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation
Despite your best efforts, it’s important to recognize the early signs of a bed bug problem. Catching an infestation early makes treatment more manageable.
Key Indicators:
Small, rust-colored spots on sheets or mattresses
Shed skins or tiny eggs in furniture seams
Red, itchy bites on exposed skin, often in a linear pattern
If you suspect a bed bug problem in your home, don’t wait. Duncan Exterminating identifies and treats bed bug infestations with effective solutions. Our experienced team ensures your home remains a sanctuary during the holiday season.
Locally trusted pest control experts
Comprehensive bed bug inspections and treatments
Friendly and reliable service tailored to your needs
The holidays are meant for making memories, not worrying about pests. Follow these tips to protect your home, and if you need a hand, call Duncan Exterminating. We’re here to help you enjoy the season stress-free.
Contact us today to schedule an inspection or learn more about our bed bug prevention services. Here’s to a happy, pest-free holiday season!
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Contact Information
Dawsonville, GA, Location:
256 Beartooth Pkwy. Dawsonville, GA 30534
Gainesville, GA, Location:
3510 Thompson Bridge Rd. Gainesville, GA 30506