WHY HENRICO?

Area Conditions that Support This Critical Pest

Bed bugs have been around for much longer than you may realize. Originally, bed bugs only lived in caves and fed on the blood of bats, but they eventually spread to rodents and other mammals, including humans. By the 1920's and 1930's, bed bugs had found their way into 30% of American homes, but they were virtually eliminated by the 1940's with the use of harsh pesticides. In the last decade, however, they've made a prolific comeback. And now more and more cities around the United States, including Henrico, are experiencing bed bug outbreaks. They are already common in Richmond and Washington, D.C., and by traveling to those or other major cities, you could end up with bed bugs in your home. These invaders have very few preferences when it comes to climate conditions or household cleanliness, and once they find their way into a home, removal can be a nightmare. While staying in hotels or hostels, only sit your luggage on dedicated luggage racks, as luggage placed on the floor or bed is much easier for bed bugs to hide away in. Packing lightly is another way to reduce your chances of getting bed bugs, because the less luggage you have the less places they can find to hide.