news-record.com

The news of the bed bug discovery in a Wake Forest University dorm has increased awareness of the problem in the Triad. While the university has worked to control the problem, the North Carolina Pest Management Association wants the public to know how to prevent this problem in their own homes.

Bed bugs hide in small cracks and crevices such as behind baseboards, wallpaper, upholstery and in furniture crevices.
There are steps you can take that may help to prevent bed bugs from entering your home. Before sleeping in a hotel or rental property bed, check the mattress and bedsheets for tell-tale blood spots or signs of bed bugs. Upon returning from vacation, vacuum all suitcases and wash clothes in hot water. Clothing that can be placed in a dryer should be dried at high heat.

While these steps may help to prevent infestation, it is important to remember that bed bugs are not a pest that can be effectively treated on your own. If you think you might have bed bugs in your home, call a qualified pest professional to help you assess your situation and determine the best way to treat the pests and their eggs.

Lee Smith
Morehead City

The writer is a board member, N.C. Pest Management Association.