If you live in New York City, then you are well aware that we are experiencing an epidemic that is far from being under control.
The bed bug population is exploding, and with people worried about their finances, many aren't quick to hire an exterminator to get rid of them.
The bad news is that the longer that you wait to exterminate bed bugs, the more entrenched they become in your home.
Its like giving the bad guys extra time to prepare for the good guys to attack.
That's never a really great strategy for winning a battle, and trust me, if you live in New York, sooner or alter you will face the Battle of the Bed Bugs.
Here are a few things that you can do to prevent an attack if you are not yet infested.

1. Make sure that you don't buy anything that is used, that includes, but is not limited to clothing, toys, books, bedding, and furniture.
   Do not allow anything into your home that is used, even if you trust the source.
   Often, these blood eaters sneak in undetected and your will meaning friends may not even know that what they are giving you is contaminated.
   
2. Make it a regular habit to vacuum and dispose of the bag.
   This only won't eliminate bugs if you already have them, but it can make sure that you slow an invasion from the very beginning.
   
3. Have you bedding professionally steam cleaned quarterly.
   Of course, under normal circumstances, this is a very extreme measure.
   But if you are serious about preventing an infestation, its an extra step that is well worth it.
   As an added plus, you bedding will feel really fresh!
4. Be very careful of where you visit, even be wary of the homes of friends and family.
   These bugs are frequent travelers and are notorious hitch hikers.
   You don't want to unwittingly bring them home with you, so be sure to carefully wash clothes that have traveled to suspicious places.
   
5. Call an exterminator the minute you become suspicious of a possible infestation.
   One bug can multiply into a thousand within a few weeks, and that many hungry mouths will be all over at night if you don't fix the problem before it becomes an all night feeding frenzy at your house.
   

Even though times are tough, its worth it to make sure that your home and family are bed bug free.
A serious infestation can mean living in a motel for months and replacing your entire household of belongings.
This is an expense that is easily avoided by getting a bed bug exterminator.