When entering premises avoid setting coats, bags, purses etc. on beds, floors and against walls. Check your vehicles before sitting to detect any bed bugs.

Do regular inspections of all areas bed bugs like to hide: bedding, bed frames, mattresses, box springs, stuffed animals,  decorative pillows, inside clothing drawers, baseboards and inside slots, screw holes, cracks, & crevices in furniture. Be vigilant in checking these known bed bug hideouts.

When you become aware of a bed bug infestation, it is time to go through all your belongings & throw away all your clutter. Cluttered conditions can offer the bed bugs a lot of excellent hiding places very near their human blood-meal hosts. Do not forget to throw things out in sealed plastic bags or wrap them in plastic so you are not dropping & spreading the infestation as you discard them. Thoroughly de-clutter and clean all areas (bedding, couches, bed frames etc.) where you have been bitten by bed bugs.

Do not dispose of furniture or mattresses that have had bed bugs in them by trying to sell them to other people. Although the items might appear to be free of bed bugs, more could be hiding and you would unknowingly spread the bed bug problem to others.

When removing sheets always carefully roll them off instead of pulling or yanking them to avoid spreading bed bugs and their eggs. Vacuum up any visible bed bugs & eggs. Always put clean white or light colored sheets on the bed. Light colors make bed bugs easier to detect.

Wash all bedding and clothes in the hottest water possible (at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit). Use a hot tumble drier at the hottest setting possible. Research has shown bed bugs can possibly live through the washing but the hot dryer will kill them.

Try to avoid using excessive amounts of Diatomaceous Earth. Although it is sold as a safe natural product, if you must use it, be very careful to follow all instructions and wear a proper mask. While it is safe enough to eat, it is very bad for the lungs. DO NOT OVERUSE THIS PRODUCT. This is ONLY meant for under baseboards, cracks, crevices, electric outlets etc. where it cannot be stirred up into the air.

If possible, try to capture at least 1 bed bug in a vial, pill bottle or in a ziplock bag, so you can get a positive identification from us at QFI Pest Control.

A good way to tell approximately how many bed bugs are invading your home is by the bites. If you have 50 bites there are approx. 17 bed bugs or 3 bites per bed bug.