How to Prevent Bed Bugs in NYC

If you are reading this and are one of those fortunate individuals who does not have anactive bed bug problem in your home or business, preventing bed bugs in NYC is likely to be your issue of primary concern. Of course, the best way to solve a bed bugproblem is never to have one in the first place! For those who have had, and resolved, abed bug infestation, preventing a second infestation is of primary importance.

There is good news and bad news when it comes to how to prevent bed bugs in NYC.Hereʼs the bad news. Fully grown bed bugs are relatively small (about the size of agrain of rice) and their eggs are even smaller. Bed bugs eggs are sticky and are easily transported from one place to the next on belongings, clothing or even the sole of ashoe. All it takes is a few eggs to be the start of a bed bug colony. Adult bed bugs enter homes and workplaces by hitching rides. They can hitch a ride on used furniture, in or on luggage, or on clothing. The can also crawl from one apartment to the next alongconnecting pipes and wires.

Now for the good news. There are many steps that residents, business owners andtravelers can take that will help to prevent bed bugs in the home, in workspaces andupon returning home from travel.

Prevent Bed Bugs in NYC – Top Ten List for Tenants and Homeowners

1. Prevent Bed Bugs by Purchasing A Pest Control Contract Even if you do not have an active pest problem, purchasing a contract for ongoing pestcontrol services will not only provide you with peace of mind, it will also prevent pests ofall kinds from taking up residence in your home. Ongoing, preventative pest control is the key to a pest-free home. If you are renting, many landlords provide these services free-of-charge to their tenants. If you are a homeowner, or your landlord does notprovide ongoing pest control, it is a small investment and one that is worth making.Preventing bed bugs in NYC, or preventing any other pest, is a much simpler matter than treating and eliminating an active problem. This is why many find routine pestcontrol to be well worth the price.
2. Prevent Bed Bugs by Learning the Signs of Bed Bugs
   While it isnʼt necessary to become a bed bug expert, it is certainly helpful to becomeeducated about the basics. Take the time to learn what bed bugs look like. Look atpictures of bed bugs. Learn about the signs of bed bugs. This way, if you should spot abed bug in your home, you wonʼt mistake it for an “outdoor” bug.
3. Prevent Bed Bugs by Leaving Found Treasures on the Curb
   It was once a popular NY past time to bring home found furniture left by the side of theroad. As the saying went: “One manʼs trash is another manʼs treasure!” This isnʼt the case any longer. Never bring home furniture or household items (baskets, etc) that youhave found on the curb-as attractive as they may be. These items may have been putout because of bed bug infestation and not properly marked, or their prior owners may have unknowingly had a bed bug problem.
4. Prevent Bed Bugs NYC by Inspecting Entering Items Carefully If you must bring used or rented furniture into your home, inspect it carefully for bedbugs. If doing so will not damage it, before it enters your home, spray it down withisopropyl (rubbing) alcohol to kill any unseen bed bugs and bed bug eggs.
5. Prevent Bed Bugs in NYC by Sealing Cracks and Crevices
   Even if you donʼt have a bed bug infestation, you can help to prevent bed bugs andother pests such as cockroaches, ants and silverfish from becoming your newhousemates by sealing up any cracks and crevices that these pests can live and hide inor travel through. Caulk and a caulking gun are most helpful in this effort. Caulk gaps inbaseboards, around cabinetry, in the kitchen and in bathrooms.
6. Prevent Bed Bugs New York City by Cutting the Clutter
   Clutter is a bed bugʼs best friend. Bed bugs love to hide in clutter and spotting bed bugs becomes difficult in a cluttered environment. There are many reasons to pair downunneeded belongings and live a clutter-free life and bed bug prevention is just one ofthem. Periodically sort through your belongings and donate or toss those items youdonʼt want or need.

7. Prevent Bed Bugs in NYC by Avoiding Under-Bed Storage Especially in small New York City apartments, storing items under the bed has becomequite popular. Bed risers, designed to raise the bed and facilitate under-bed storage aretouted as a perfect storage solution. Beware! Items kept under beds are a perfect placefor bed bugs to live and hide. If possible, pair down your belongings and if youabsolutely must store under the bed, do so in plastic containers with tight-fitting lids.When routine pest control is performed to prevent bed bugs, make sure to slide thecontainers out from under the bed, so this area can be properly inspected and treated.
8. Prevent Bed Bugs in New York City by Encasing Your Mattress and Box Spring
   Many people think that mattress and box spring encasement is something to be doneonly during an active infestation. However, protecting these two items can prevent a bedbug infestation from taking hold. Hereʼs why. Bed bugs canʼt penetrate the encasementsand thus cannot infest protected mattresses and box springs. Moreover, since bed bugscannot hide the in mattress and can only crawl on top of it, they will be easier to spot inthe case of a few bed bugs being introduced into a non-infested dwelling. Be sure there are no rips or tears in the encasements and also to purchase encasements specifically designed to keep out bed bugs.
9. Prevent Bed Bugs in NYC by Vacuuming Regularly
   Even absent a bed bug infestation, vacuum regularly, especially in any householdcracks and crevices that havenʼt been repaired or caulked. (See #4.) One thing residents donʼt often realize is the possibility that their vacuum cleaner can itselfbecome infested with bed bugs. To reduce this possibility, select a vacuum cleaner model with care. A model that empties into a vacuum bag, as opposed to a filter, is better because itʼs hard to entirely empty filters. Change your vacuum cleaner bagregularly and dispose of it into a sealed garbage bag. If you have a bagless vacuum empty the canister into a garbage bag after each use and seal the bag up tight. Then,wash down the canister with hot, soapy water. Vacuum cleaner attachments that havebrushes should be avoided because bed bugs and bed bug eggs can become caught inthe bristles. Just use the open end of the hose.
10. Prevent Bed Bugs in New York by Keeping Your Clothing and Home Clean

Dirty living conditions do not cause bed bugs but proper care and cleaning of your homeand laundry can prevent a straggler bed bug from becoming a full-fledged infestation.Especially if you suspect having been exposed to bed bugs, wash and dry your clothingon the hottest settings. Washing down floors and baseboards with cleaning products designed for these purposes, in addition to vacuuming (see #9 above) and removingclutter from your home (see #6 above) will go along way toward helping prevent bedbugs.

Prevent Bed Bugs in NYC Businesses – Special Advice for Business Owners

New Yorkers are very sensitive about bed bugs, perhaps more sensitive than is warranted. Bed bugs bites may be no more annoying to many than mosquito bites;however, the mere thought of an insect crawling out of the cracks and crevices offloorboards or mattresses in the night to feed on human victims fills New Yorkers withdisgust and dread. For this reason, having bed bugs can ruin the reputation of any business that has become infested. Word of bed bugs in New York businesses travels quickly over the Internet and the good reputation of your New York establishment canbe sullied within hours. For this reason it is especially important for New York businesses to prevent bed bugs before they ever become a problem. Here are 5 specialtips for business bed bug prevention in New York from the pest control experts at BedBugs Pest Control NYC:

Step #1: Preventing Bed Bugs in NYC with Awareness

Some New York business owners still mistakenly believe that bed bugs only live in andaround where people sleep. While more bed bug invasions do take place in sleepingareas than in other areas, it is very possible for businesses of all kinds to fall prey to bed bugs. Since the New York bed bug outbreak began, bed bugs have been found in NewYorkʼs retail and department stores, New York movie theaters, offices, restaurants,coffee shops-anywhere and everywhere that New Yorkers congregate. Step #1 inpreventing bed bugs in New York businesses is the simple awareness that bed bugs can, and do, live and bite just about anywhere in New York.

Step #2: Preventing Bed Bugs in NYC with Routine Pest Control

A pest control service contract which provides for regular and ongoing visits by pestcontrol technicians is the single best way to prevent bed bugs in NYC businesses. This step is an absolute must for any New York City business that want to prevent bed bugs.The schedule may vary depending upon a businesses specific situation, but generally speaking a monthly visit at the very minimum is the best course of action.

Step #3: Preventing Bed Bugs in New York by Following Exterminatorsʼ Advice

Every New York business is unique and there is no one-size-fits all plan for preventingbed bugs in New York businesses. Some businesses have hundreds, or thousands, ofcustomers from all walks coming through their doors while others have less in-and-outtravel but may have other special considerations. This is why it is very important to listento the New York pest control experts you hire and meticulously follow their advice.

Step #4: Preventing Bed Bugs in NY by Educating Your Employees

Your employees are the eyes and ears of your business and the first line of defensewhen it comes to preventing bed bugs. Make sure your employees understand thatpreventing bed bugs in your business is an issue that is important to you. They shouldalso be informed about what bed bugs look like and the signs of bed bugs. Encourageemployees to report any pest activity that they observe to management, so the issuecan be dealt with swiftly and effectively.

Step #5: Encourage Employees to Take Precautions

Your employees can also be an entry point for bed bugs. Instruct your employees tokeep office clutter to a minimum and to leave unnecessary personal belongings athome. If feasible, encourage them to leave handbags or other items from home in desk drawers, off of the floor, and to hang coats and hats on hooks not simply on the back oftheir chairs as this can facilitate the spread of bed bugs.