How can I avoid bringing bedbugs to work? - briefly
Inspect clothing, bags, and personal items at home with a lint roller or vacuum, then seal them in plastic bags before transport. Store work attire separately, avoid placing luggage on office surfaces, and regularly launder or heat‑treat garments to eliminate any hidden insects.
How can I avoid bringing bedbugs to work? - in detail
Bedbugs can hitch a ride on clothing, bags, and personal items, turning a private infestation into a workplace problem. The most reliable way to keep them out of the office is to treat every potential carrier before it reaches the work environment.
- Inspect clothing after returning home. Use a bright light and a magnifying glass to examine seams, folds, and cuffs. If any insects or eggs are seen, isolate the garment in a sealed plastic bag and wash it at 60 °C (140 °F) for at least 30 minutes.
- Launder all work‑related apparel—shirts, pants, shoes—immediately after exposure to a possible infestation. Dry on high heat; heat kills all life stages.
- Store clean clothing in a dedicated, sealed container that never leaves the home. Do not place recently worn items on office chairs or desks.
Personal belongings require the same diligence.
- Empty backpacks, briefcases, and laptop bags onto a white sheet. Shake out fabric, then vacuum interior seams and pockets with a brush attachment. Dispose of the vacuum bag or empty canister into a sealed container.
- Place non‑fabric items (phones, chargers, notebooks) in a sealed plastic bag for 48 hours; the insects cannot survive without a blood meal.
- For larger items such as suitcases, use a portable steamer or a professional heat‑treatment service that raises interior temperature to at least 55 °C (131 °F) for 30 minutes.
Workplace practices further reduce risk.
- Keep personal items in a locked drawer or locker, away from shared surfaces.
- Request that the office cleaning crew use a HEPA‑filtered vacuum on carpets and upholstery weekly.
- Encourage the facility manager to schedule regular inspections of office furniture, especially seams of upholstered chairs and couch cushions.
If an infestation is suspected, act quickly.
- Isolate the affected area by sealing doors and windows.
- Contact a licensed pest‑control professional for a thorough assessment and targeted treatment.
- Follow the exterminator’s recommendations for post‑treatment cleaning, which typically includes laundering all fabrics and applying heat to non‑washable items.
Combining meticulous home inspection, proper laundering, secure storage of personal gear, and proactive office hygiene creates a comprehensive barrier that prevents bedbugs from being transferred into the workplace.