Bed bugs have become a chronic problem in Karachi, especially for homeowners living in apartments. In fact, in most cases, apartment owners have to call in professional bed bug control services to disinfect the apartments from unwanted fellows.
What are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are blood-sucking parasites. On the out, they may look much similar to ants (a little smaller cousins of ants), however, unlike ants, these live on blood (especially at night time). What makes these parasites filthy and intimidating is their secretive living. They are perfect hiders and can go unnoticed for ages in cracks or even inside the bed unless you are being bitten by them. Even more dangerous is the fact that the bite of bed bugs are painless, which mean you wouldn’t even notice these parasites when they are actually sucking your blood.
How do I know whether I have Bed Bugs?
Well, that’s important because before you ask how to prevent bed bugs in an apartment building, you should be sure if you have a bed bug infestation.
Now, as said earlier, the small size and secretive living make these parasites really hard to detect; especially in the initial period of infestation. However, if you feel like waking up with tiny blood spots n bedding or feel itchiness on your skin, it’s an indicator that you might have a bed bug infestation.
Will bed bugs hurt me?
Fortunately, these parasites don’t carry many diseases. However, what makes them dangerous or frustrating (the right word) is the irritation and allergic reaction that can be caused due to their bites. Most of all, it’s the mental stress and feels of disgusts that truly make these parasites a living nuisance for apartment owners.
How to prevent Bed Bugs in an Apartment Building?
That’s an interesting question. In fact, many times apartment owners have specifically asked me to tell them how to prevent bed bugs in an apartment building naturally.
Now, what makes this a challenge is the multifamily nature of apartments, which are inherently attractive to bed bugs. Moreover, the apartment building in Karachi is especially supportive of nurturing and spreading of bed bugs from one apartment to other apartments.
Some steps you would want to take to keep your apartment safe from bed bugs infestation include:
- Keeping up with cleaning standards – we have a bad cleaning standard, especially when it comes to managing cleanliness in congested apartments.
- Decluttering your homes – don’t clutter your apartments with unnecessary items. Our family lifestyle includes storing every item, even if we may not use it for the next decade. In fact, I know homes where mothers keep children clothing safe for the next generation. Period.
- Keeping open and well-lit spaces in apartments – another important consideration is to ensure your apartment is well-lit by sunlight; unfortunately another key aspect most people oversee in our city.
Can I get a bed bug infestation if my neighbor has the infestation?
Yes. As a standard practice, bed bugs infestation can span across the whole apartment building if they are found in just one apartment. And while you are looking at how to prevent bed bugs in an apartment building, you should be considerate about bug infestation in your neighboring apartments. If you get to know an infested apartment in your building, try to convince them to take control measures that may include getting professional services as well.
Steps to prevent bed bugs from an apartment building
Here’s how to prevent bed bugs in an apartment building:
Even, if you find out a bed bug infestation, there is no reason to get panic because while getting rid of these parasites isn’t impossible. First of all, if you want to prevent it from spreading to other apartments in the building, don’t start throwing your stuff. Moreover, it’s simply not the answer to bed bug prevention.
While reaching for the spray can seem the most obvious and easiest way out, there are other more rational and less hazardous ways to get rid of the infestation. Try to follow a comprehensive plan that can help you minimize the infestation (if not eliminate). Even if you got to use the pesticide, make sure you read the labels and understand its safe use.
The number one reason why we are seeing a large number of apartments getting bug infestation in Karachi is owed to unclean and unhygienic living conditions. As said before, you need to keep your home clean and throw away all the unnecessary items which aren’t of daily use. Also, make sure there is no constant dark hiding place in your home.
- Regular cleaning and sunbathing of items
Regularly sunbath your beds, blankets, sheets, clothing and everything else that comes in touch with you or your family members.
- Seek professional services when needed
Lastly, the best and sure approach for how to prevent bed bugs in an apartment building is to trust professional pest control services. These companies come equipped with the right gears and disinfectants that can help you keep your apartment bug free.
