Myth #1 - You can’t see bed bugs. Adult bed bugs are easily spotted. Adult bed bugs are 3mm—5mm in size—about the size and shape of an apple seed—and a reddish brown colour.

Myth #2 - Throw out your bed and you’ll be rid of bed bugs. They may be called bed bugs but they don’t just live in your bed. They can occupy almost any dark crack or crevice in a room. Almost everything including clothing, bedding, furniture and electronics can be treated to remove bed bugs. By disposing of infested furniture prior to it being inspected and treated, you can actually spread bed bugs. If you need to dispose of furniture or a mattress, make sure it is sealed with plastic and mark to indicate it has infested by bed bugs. If possible, destroy items prior to disposal to make them unusable.

Myth #3 - You only get bed bugs if you live in a low-income neighbourhood. Bed bugs can happen to anyone, anywhere. You get bed bugs by coming into contact with them. Increasingly, people who frequently travel become exposed to bed bugs and bring them back home.

Myth #4 - It’s too cold for bed bugs in Canada. Even with our cold winters bed bugs continue to survive in all parts of Canada. Bed bugs can be found in almost every country and region. Bed bugs are a global pest.

Make Your Bed an Island

If bed bugs are in your building but not in your apartment, making your bed an island will protect you if they enter your home

REDUCE BITES RIGHT AWAY BY ISOLATING THE BED.

1. Remove clutter from your room and from under your bed.
2. Place bedding and pillow in the dryer on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes.
3. Pull your bed away from the wall, curtains, dressers and be side tables.
4. Vacuum all surfaces of your mattress and box spring carefully with the vacuum's crevice tool. Make sure to go over seams, handles and buttons. This will remove bugs found on the surface.
5. Vacuum your bed frame and headboard including areas where there are screws and fasteners.
6. Immediately empty the vacuum into garbage can or seal the vacuum bag in a plastic bag and store in the freezer.
7. If there are cracks or holes in your bed frame, apply some caulking to prevent the bugs from getting in.
8. Place your mattress and box spring in a zippered bed bug proof encasement. Put duct tape over the zipper closure.
9. Do not use bed skirts as the bed bugs will use them to climb back into your bed.
10. Keep bed sheets and blankets tucked in so they do not touch the ground.
11. Place each leg of the bed in a clean shallow container, such as a tuna can. Add about 2-3 mm of baby or mineral oil to the bottom of the can. This creates a moat that the bed bugs cannot cross.
12. Keep your pets off the bed. They can bring bed bugs back onto your bed.