Bed Bugs: The Unwanted Shopper

Bugs can be found commonly in residential homes and many other public areas but I recently went into a retail store and found a tiny roach in their fitting room. Not a great shopping experience. Shopping centers can be and look luxurious and clean but sometimes they are not. Bed bugs can also be found in clothes while you are shopping. Bed bugs cases have been increasing and have been a hot topic in the news in public areas like hotels. Since bed bugs are unwanted travelers and their host are people they can also travel in shopping centers and can be found in clothes and in areas like fitting rooms where people are constantly trying on clothes. People might not know they have bed bugs at homes and unknowingly transport the pests into public areas.Pest World shares several tips to avoid bringing unwanted shoppers into your home:

• When trying on clothing, be aware of any stains that seem unusual. These could be telltale blood spots left by feeding bed bugs.

• Inspect clothing carefully for bed bugs before purchasing. Even if you choose an item from an undisturbed pile, bed bugs could still find their way onto clothing.

• Avoid bed bugs in clothes by hanging your items on hooks, rather than lay them across cushioned seats in dressing rooms or on the carpeted floor. These are safe and popular havens for bed bugs
• Immediately launder the clothing in hot water or steam/dry clean delicate items.

Retail business need to have a pest prevention program that will protect their brand and their reputation. When a customer sees a bug, it destroys the relationship that the customer has with the store and leaves. Therefore, profits are lost. Pests need to be eliminated and a pest prevention program should be controlled to create a comfortable environment for the shopper and returning customers. If you find bed bugs at home contact a professional. Our Team Heat Division specializes in eliminating bed bugs by using alternative methods like heat. Heat treatment is an effective, safe, and environmentally friendly alternative to fumigation that can be used for entire structures, confined areas or localized spot treatments.