When it comes to scheduling bed bug inspections timing is critical. But not for the reasons most homeowners expect. While there’s no particular season, month, or stage of infestation that is considered ideal, there are times when an inspection can be most effective. But you shouldn’t wait until you actually find a bed bug crawling across your pillow.’
Instead, the right time to schedule an inspection will depend on what’s going on in your home, what evidence you’ve discovered, and whether there is a reason to believe bed bugs may have recently been introduced into your household.
Don’t Wait for a Problem to Arise
One of the biggest mistakes people make in fighting bed bugs is waiting to call in a professional inspector. Bed bugs are experts at hiding from their hosts. They spend most of their time tucked into mattress seams, cracks in the furniture, and other safe havens. By the time you actually see a live bed bug the infestation may have been building for some time.
Now, this doesn’t mean that every unexplained bite or unexpected mattress stain requires an emergency call out to your pest control company. But there are circumstances common to most homeowners that make scheduling a bed bug inspection a shrewd choice.
After Returning from a Trip
Travel is a common trigger for infestations. Bed bugs can enter your home in luggage, clothing, and other personal belongings. Even a short stay in a hotel, motel, or other vacation rental can expose you to bed bugs.
If you notice anything suspicious while traveling don’t simply ignore it and assume you can leave the problem behind when you head home. Examine your luggage and belongings before you leave your hotel or rental and again when you return home. If you see anything that concerns you, scheduling an inspection can help determine whether anything has been brought into the house.
Before Moving into a New Home
Your new house or apartment may look spotless. But it still may have a history of pests that hasn’t been properly disclosed or wasn’t obvious when you toured the property. Bed bugs can survive for long periods even when a property has been vacant, so empty room are no guarantee of a bed bug free environment.
It’s always a wise decision to schedule an inspection before you start moving anything into your new residence. Unfurnished rooms are easier to inspect than a fully furnished home. Once boxes, beds, and couches are in place there are more cracks and crevices that need to be examined.
Preemptive inspections are particularly important if you are moving into an apartment, condo, or other multi-unit building. Nearby units may have ongoing issues, so in addition to scheduling an inspection check ask the property managers if there is any history of bed bugs in the building.
When Purchasing Secondhand Furnishings
Secondhand couches, chairs, and bed frames may seem like a bargain, but they often contain hidden pests. Bed bugs don’t care if an item is new or used. They only care about finding successful hiding places and getting access to a reliable food source.
Before bringing any used furniture into your home examine it carefully. Check the seams, joints, screw holes, and undersides. If there are signs of bed bugs, or if the history of the furniture is in question, a professional inspection may be a smart precaution.
Again, timing is everything. Inspection before the furniture is brought into your home is better than inspection after it’s been sitting in you house or apartment for several weeks.
When Exposed to an Infestation
Of course, bed bugs aren’t just a homeowner’s concern. These pests can show up anywhere. Offices, schools, healthcare facilities, other public spaces can experience bed bug activity. It’s worth remembering that bed bugs are great little hitchhikers, and they can easily follow you home from work or church or a fitness center.
Just to be clear, exposure does not automatically mean an infestation is brewing. However, if you subsequently notice suspicious evidence at home it might be a good idea to consider a professional inspection. Early detection can help stop a potential infestation before it starts.
The Best Time is Anytime You Need Answers
The best time to schedule a bed bug inspection is when you need answers to important questions. The goal is not to become obsessed with each and every potential exposure, but to use the inspection process strategically to protect your home and your family.
The ideal time to schedule an inspection is before your uncertainty turns into a larger, and much harder to manage, problem. Whether that occurs after traveling, before moving, or simply because something in your home doesn’t seem right, a professional bed bug inspection can provide the information you need to decide what needs to happen next.
Published by Scott Palatnik
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