Missy Henriksen: Hi! I am Missy Henriksen Vice President of Public Affairs for the National Pest Management Association. Today, I am discussing the key prevention tips to help you keep bed bugs from infesting your home. Typically, bed bugs infest when people bring them into their home. Unlike other pests, bed bugs do not come from the outdoor seeking shelter, but rely upon human transport, whether on clothes, luggage or other items or human themselves. Therefore vigilance is critically important especially when traveling. If you are traveling or staying in a hotel, there are several quick tips that I am here making offer to help you spot a bed bug problem in a hotel before it becomes a problem in your home. Upon arrival in your room, be sure to pull back the sheets and inspect the mattress seams, particularly at the corners for telltale blood spots. If you see anything that you suspect, contact the hotel management and change rooms immediately. If you choose to stay in the hotel, do not be moved to a room adjacent to the potentially infested room. This includes side-to-side rooms and those above and below. Beyond the hotel bed, remember to check behind the headboard, sofa and chairs for those little creatures before you begin unpacking your bags. As mentioned before, bed bugs is a misnomer and these pests can infest various pieces of furniture including electrical sockets and picture frames. Upon your return, there are still plenty of proactive and preventive measures to keep bed bugs out of your home, especially if you have unknowingly picked up one of these pesky pests during your travels. Before entering your home, inspect your suitcases. Vacuum all suitcases thoroughly as vacuuming is an excellent prevention tool.

Wash all of you clothes even those not worn in hot weather. If you cannot wash your clothes, at the very least tumble dry all clothes in warm heat. Beyond travel, another area where bed bug infestations have begun to cause major issues is with regard to used or second hand furniture. If you are considering purchasing we are excepting used furniture. Be sure to conduct a thorough inspection just as you would if you were entering a hotel room. Often people give away infested furniture without disclosing the potential problem. Remember, you did not need someone else's pest problem being given to you under the auspices of kindness. Now that we have addressed the best prevention tips for bed bugs, let's discuss next why these pests are so difficult to treat.