If you live in an apartment complex and you've recently discovered you have bed bugs, your first thought is likely how to eradicate the problem. Bed bugs are pesky little flat brown bugs that can quickly invade and wreak havoc on your living space. Not only do they multiply rapidly, they can also bite and leave itchy marks on your skin. They are very challenging to get rid of completely, so you have to work diligently to ensure their demise. It's important to contact your apartment manager so they can treat a more widespread area if needed. Here are a few tips to follow if you feel you may have an infestation.

Clean Or Dispose Of Bedding And Furniture

If, after close inspection, your bedding, floor trim and furniture pieces display signs of a bed bug infestation, it's time to start going after the bothersome critters. Depending on the severity of the infestation, you may not spot bed bugs during the day. They are generally most active in the night time or early morning hours—they love to feed on human blood during these times. Check for bugs in the following places:

• Underneath mattresses and bed frames
• Within the seams of mattresses for live bugs or blood debris
• Behind the wood trim around the floor boards and door jambs
• Within and underneath furniture cushions
• Behind picture frames and home decor objects

If you notice bugs, try to clean up as much as possible. Vacuum all areas of your apartment thoroughly and dispose of the contents immediately. Wash and dry linens and other washable items on a high heat setting. Throw out heavily infested mattresses and cushions to help stop the spread of bed bugs.

Contact A Pest Control Professional

Even if you've done a thorough cleaning, you should still call a pest control pro to come out and evaluate your apartment space. He or she will be able to tell if your infestation is under control or if there are small nymphs or tiny bugs left behind. He or she may recommend a chemical treatment that will kill all life phases of the bed bug.

This treatment may have to be repeated if there is a large-scale infestation. In some cases, heat eradication may be used. A pest control technician will set up whole room heaters that raise the temperatures up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit to help kill all living bed bugs.  

Seal Up The Perimeter Of Your Apartment

Once the bed bug problem is under control, you'll want to make sure they can't get back into your apartment. Neighbors could be infested and if that goes untreated, the bugs can reach your space through small cracks and crevices. Providing an overall weatherproofing treatment to your floorboards, doors and windows by caulking gaps can help create an airtight seal.  

Avoid Reinfestation

If you've been bitten by and overrun by a bed bug population, you definitely don't want to experience it again. You may not know exactly how you obtained a bed bug problem, but there are ways to prevent it in the future. Common tips include:

• Evade bugs by not purchasing used mattresses or furniture
• Check your bags and suitcases if you've recently traveled or stayed in a hotel
• Avoid visiting homes where bed bugs are present

Eluding the bed bug means not giving it the traveling tools and nourishment it needs to set up a permanent home in your space.

Rarely, bed bug infestations can be contained without professional pest control assistance. If you suspect bed bugs or other pests, contact a pest control company right away. You can also click here for additional reading.