Bed Bugs Don’t Freeze—They Thrive Indoors During the Winter

Bed bugs are small insects that infest homes, hotels, and other places people tend to sleep. They feed off our blood during the night or even when we’re lounging. Many people can relate when we say bed bugs are annoying and must be eradicated immediately. Unfortunately, bed bugs hide and often reproduce faster than we can kill them.

Many insects and other pests die during the cold season. Bed bugs, however, manage to stay indoors rent-free. You might wonder how this tiny pest survives, so in this blog, we’ll discuss what happens to them during winter and how you can prevent them from constantly bugging you.

Bed Bug Habitat

As the name “bed bug” suggests, bed bugs hide in beds and other similar furniture. While this is true, bed bugs actually come from the outdoors and are picked up from hotels and other public places. Bed bugs are known to be excellent hitchhikers and bed bugs hide in luggage and clothing. Because of their extremely small size, they can be easily transported from one place to another. They also have distinct flattened bodies and bed bugs hide in any crevices they can find. They do not build nests either, so no matter how consistently you clean, can be difficult to spot them with the naked eye.

Bed Bugs in Winter

Bugs don’t survive in the cold, so we understand the frustration of how bed bugs are still able to infest your house, even in winter. Bed bugs are tolerant of winter because they are primarily indoor insects, and sufficient insulation keeps them alive. They can go about for months without a food source as well. And since they comfortably reside inside, they can keep pestering you and your family the entire winter.

Ways To Prevent Bed Bugs

There are a lot of ways that you can fend off these annoying little creatures. Here are tips you can follow to relieve your bed bug problems and find where all those bed bugs hide.

Frequent Washing of Bedding and Clothes

We believe a good practice of cleanliness is washing your bedsheets and pillowcases twice a month. Frequent washing can prevent bed bugs from reproducing in fabrics you often use. You should also dump outdoor clothes into the laundry immediately after use.

DIY Bed Bug Heat Treatment

Vacuum and steam cleaning are effective ways to prevent bed bugs. You can use rubbing alcohol to disinfect surfaces as well. If a vacuum or steam cleaner is unavailable, a hairdryer can act as a heating device. Simply point the hairdryer toward crevices and other similar wooden cracks around the house.

Seek Professional Help

If any of these suggested tips still don’t keep the bed bugs out, we suggest bringing in an expert. Professional cleaning and pest control services specialize in finding nooks and crannies in your home where these bed bugs are likely to hide.

Wrapping Up

Bed bug infestation varies in every household, but they give similar headaches if not prevented right away. Home remedies can be effective, but professionals can make a huge difference in solving your bed bug problems. Cold weather usually means months of peace from pesky bugs, but when bed bugs appear, do not hesitate to ask for a helping hand.

Bed Bugs Can’t Hide from Bed Bug BBQ

Bed bugs hide almost anywhere they can fit, making chemical treatments less effective than heat treatment. Call us today at (216) 221-1227 or visit our website for more information!