Preventing bed bugs is the key.

Bed bugs are typically brought into your home. Bed bugs cannot fly or jump, but they are excellent hitchhikers. They can be introduced into your home via furniture, mattresses, and bedding, suitcases, boxes and shoes. Bed bugs can be found in new and used clothes as well as on the belongings of someone who has been in a bed bug infested situation.

Bed bugs have also been found in transportation vehicles such as boats, trains, airplanes, moving trailer/vehicle and buses and in movie theaters where they typically harbor in seats and framing.

More recently, bed bugs have been discovered in retail stores, including popular national chains.

Bed bugs usually stay close to their hosts, but once there is no longer a food source (blood) that can nourish and support them, they start to break away and spread through the wall voids and ceiling holes, as well as unsealed bottom plates and utility pipes.

The best preventive measures involve inspecting and thoroughly cleaning any items brought into your home.

Vigilance is the key to preventing bed bugs.