1. Protect Yourself When Traveling- One of the most common ways to encounter bed bugs and bring them home is when traveling.
   • Research your hotel before you book.  Check tripadvisor.com or bedbugregistry.com to see if any bed bug sightings have been reported.
   • Inspect your room thoroughly upon entering.
   • Protect your luggage and personal belongings in a BugZip.
   • Unpack in the garage and treat all personal belonging immediately.
2. Build a Line of Defense-
   • Eliminate Clutter- This will help reduce the number of places for bed bugs to hide.
   • Launder bedding often in hot water and dry on high heat
   • Vacuum regularly- Be sure to vacuum the mattress, box spring, bed frame, and walls and molding along with the floor. Throw out bag or empty container immediately after vacuuming so bed bugs cannot escape and spread.
   • Pull bed away from wall and put ClimbUp Insect Interceptors on the legs of the bed. ClimbUps will trap bed bugs before they get into your bed.  Make sure all bedding is not touching the floor.
   • Encase Mattresses and Box Springs- If bed bugs ever get into your home they will want to harbor and lay eggs under and inside the box spring and mattress.  This clever hiding place is why it takes many people months to realize that bed bugs are living in their beds.  Zipping up your box spring will force them into other areas where you spot them much easier.
3. Develop an Early Warning System- Early detection is critically important in eliminating a bed bug problem quickly and efficiently. Arm your home with the following:
   • BB Alert Passive Monitor- A little bed bug hotel that can detect them in only a few days instead of months.  Place on or near the bed. Check the monitor regularly for little black fecal spots.
   • ClimbUp Interceptors- Place on all legs of beds and furniture. Traps bed bugs as they try to get on or off the bed. 
   • Bedbug Beacon Active Monitor- This product emits CO2 to draw bed bugs to the device and trap them in a well.  This item works best when the room is not being slept in and does not have to compete with human CO2.
4. Carefully Inspect All Secondhand Items Purchased- Check all secondhand furniture for any signs of a bed bug infestation.  If you find any DO NOT BRING HOME!

Help spread the word!  Lack of bed bug awareness is a big factor in the resurgence of bed bugs.  People should not be paranoid about getting bed bugs. But they need to be aware that there are many places bed bugs may be encountered. Being bed bug conscious so that we can modify their behaviors will go a long way to protect them from falling prey to the tiny bloodsuckers.