Avoid a Bed Bug Nightmare This Holiday Season

​The holidays are a joyful, but busy, time of year. Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and other seasonal festivities, travel and family gatherings are in full swing. But with all that movement comes an increased risk of bed bugs finding their way into your Virginia home. Whether you’re staying at a hotel, visiting relatives, or hosting guests, bed bugs can hitch a ride on luggage, clothing, or even your shoes.

The experts at Getem Services, Hampton Roads’ trusted pest control specialists, are here to help you prevent a bed bug infestation and keep your home bite-free this holiday season.

​Why Bed Bug Infestations Are More Common During the Holidays

Bed bugs are indoor pests that thrive in proximity to humans. Unlike ants or spiders that enter homes from outside, bed bugs prefer to live where humans sleep and spend time. They’re also excellent travelers, crawling into bags, onto clothing, or even shoes to move from one home or hotel to the next.

During the holidays, increased travel means bed bugs have more opportunities to spread. Even a single bed bug can quickly turn into a full-blown infestation if it finds its way into your home.

The Hidden Costs of Bringing Bed Bugs Home

While bed bugs don’t spread disease, their bites can leave clusters of itchy, red welts on exposed skin. Beyond the physical irritation, bed bugs reproduce quickly: a single female can lay up to five eggs a day, which mature in as little as three weeks.

The mental toll is equally significant. Knowing bed bugs are hiding in your home can cause sleepless nights, stress, and anxiety, turning the holiday season from joyful to exhausting.

How to Identify a Bed Bug Problem

Early detection is key to preventing a full infestation. Bed bugs are elusive, but knowing what to look for can save you time, stress, and money.

While Traveling: Hotel or Vacation Homes

• Inspect the room before settling in
• Look for live bed bugs, tiny eggs, or dark smears on bedding and furniture
• Check mattress seams, headboards, box springs, and dresser drawers
• Inspect behind picture frames, curtains, and along floor edges
• Keep luggage on hard surfaces, not the bed or carpet
• Work out of your suitcase rather than putting your clothes in dressers

At Home: Protecting Your Virginia Home

After hosting guests or returning from travel, we recommend:

• Inspect clothing and luggage upon returning home
• Wash and dry all clothing on the hottest cycle possible as soon as you get home
• Check bedding, mattresses, and seams for signs of bed bug activity
• Inspect box springs, headboards, and upholstered furniture, as well as dresser drawers, picture frames, electrical outlets, floor cracks, and edges

Remember, bed bugs aren’t limited to bedrooms; they can appear anywhere in your home.

Found Bed Bugs in Your Home? Call the Local Experts

If you suspect bed bugs are in your home, don’t waste time with DIY remedies; they rarely work. Getem Services offers effective bed bug control in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and throughout the Hampton Roads and the Tidewater region. Our services include:

• Thorough bed bug inspection
• Bed bug treatments that target all stages of bed bugs
• Seven- and fourteen-day follow-ups to ensure complete elimination
• 30-day bed bug warranty

Protect your home this holiday season. At the first sign of bed bugs, contact Getem Services and enjoy peace of mind knowing your home and your family are protected.