Clipart image of a crossed-out bed bug after bed bug prevention from All Star Pest Management

If you suspect that you have bed bugs near Catonsville, you should contact a pest management company as soon as possible. It is almost impossible to eliminate bed bugs yourself, but pest control companies utilize professional, safe, and effective bed bug treatments that are very powerful. The most common way that bed bugs enter people’s homes is by being carried or tracked in via luggage, second-hand clothing or furniture, or on the clothing of people who were recently in an environment infested with bed bugs.

One of the best ways to prevent a bed bug problem is to be very vigilant about what you bring into your home. You should not bring in furniture, bedding, or clothing that you found out on the street or in trashcans. If you buy secondhand clothing, furniture, bedding, draperies, bags, or luggage, you should inspect it carefully outside of your home before bringing it inside. Larger items like suitcases or mattresses may need to be professionally inspected or cleaned by a pest control expert.

When you come home from a vacation, put your suitcase and other belongings in plastic bags and inspect them carefully before bringing them in. You can put clothing and bedding in the dryer on high heat to try to kill bed bugs and eggs.