Have you recently been waking up in the morning with an itchy rash? Are you frustrated that you can't seem to figure out what's going on or why this is happening? While it's possible that you have become allergic to something in your home, another possibility is that you have picked up bed bugs from somewhere. Bed bugs do not require a dirty home or poor hygiene to move in and infest your dwelling. All that is required is for a bedbug or two to hitch a ride on clothing or luggage and be introduced into your home. If you suspect that you might have an issue with bed bugs, some things that you should do include:

Hire a professional: One of the first things you should do is to have a bed bug inspection performed so that you can confirm that you do, indeed, have to deal with these pesky insects. Fleas and mosquitoes can also cause irritating bites that are sometimes mistaken for bed bugs, but the pattern is usually slightly different. A pest care professional will look for signs of bed bugs and let you know if you do have them or if your fears are actually unfounded.

Do laundry: Assuming that your bed bug inspection reveals that you do have bed bugs, one of the first things that you're going to want to do is launder your clothes and bedding as soon as possible. Even with the application of pesticides, bed bugs can take refuge in clothing and bedding to hide there until it is safe to come out again. Fortunately, a trip through a washer and a hot dryer is all that's needed to kill off these tiny pests. Follow up by sealing your freshly-laundered clothes in an airtight container to prevent them from being recolonized by the bed bugs.

Disassemble furniture: The fewer places that bed bugs have to hide, the faster that you'll be able to get rid of them. If you have flat-pack furniture, this makes things easier. Take everything apart so that you can check for any bed bugs currently living in the cracks and crevices. The professional from your bed bug inspection should have recommendations on what to apply to your furniture to prevent it from being recolonized or infested in the first place. If you are unable to disassemble your furniture, your only recourse may be to wrap it securely and dispose of it as recommended by the bed bug control professional.