Around the world, bed bug populations are surging in every nook of society: apartments, hotels, dormitories, businesses, private homes. As a pest, they present a challenge for traditional pest control techniques and have proven to be hardy and resilient. Many experts believe their resurgence is due largely to our expanded capacity to travel globally as well as changes in pest management that focus on environmentally friendly processes that use less residually active and more targeted use of products.
As industry experts stay busy developing effective means of bed bug control, there are steps you can take to prevent them from being introduced into your home.
Avoid Bed Bug Pick-Ups While Traveling
- Before unpacking, pull the sheets away from the mattress and look for bugs along the bedding and mattress seams, as well as along the edges of the box spring.
- Check for small blood spots on the mattress.
- Examine the headboard for any signs of bed bugs - including behind it.
- Check the seams and crevices of all wood and upholstered items in the room.
- Use the luggage racks provided by the hotel or in the bathroom. Avoid setting your luggage on the bed or other furniture
- Wrap your luggage in plastic bags to prevent bed bugs from getting on or inside.
- If possible, keep your clothing inside the luggage rather than placing in drawers or closets.
Keep Bed Bugs out at Home
- Place clothing in plastic bags when packing to return home, and empty them directly into the washer so potential bed bugs don't get a chance to escape.
- Wash and dry your clothing on the highest heat setting. If this may damage clothing, take your laundry to the dry cleaners.
- Undress on a hard surface floor (such as bathroom tile) and then vacuum the floor immediately.
- Vacuum your luggage and other non-washable personal items. Items that can be washed should be cleaned with hot, soapy water and a brush to remove bed bugs or eggs.
Everyday Bed Bug Precautions
- If you buy used furniture, inspect it carefully before bringing it in your house.
- Wash used clothing and linens immediately in hot water before wearing or using.
- Never bring home a used mattress or box springs.
- If you have any reason to suspect that you have been exposed to bed bugs, thoroughly inspect your clothes and self, and wash clothing on high heat ASAP.
Western offers a comprehensive bed bug detection and elimination program that includes our specially trained bed bug dogs. Call 1-877-250-3857 to learn more about our service, and visit our bed bug prevention page to learn how our dogs are trained to find one of Mother Nature's more elusive pests.