How can you avoid bringing bedbugs home? - briefly
Inspect hotel rooms, luggage, and clothing before departure; store items in sealed plastic bags and launder all fabrics in hot water promptly. Keep personal belongings off beds and upholstered furniture and elevate suitcases on racks or hard surfaces.
How can you avoid bringing bedbugs home? - in detail
Preventing the introduction of bedbugs into a dwelling requires systematic measures before, during, and after exposure to potential infestations.
Before travel or visits, inspect accommodation for signs of infestation: live insects, small dark spots (fecal stains), shed skins, or reddish‑brown bites on linens. If evidence appears, request a different room or relocate. Pack clothing and personal items in sealed plastic bags or airtight containers; avoid placing luggage on beds, upholstered furniture, or floor surfaces.
During transport, keep luggage elevated on a luggage rack or hard surface. Upon arrival home, transfer items directly to a garage, utility room, or outdoors. Immediately wash all clothing, bedding, and fabric accessories in hot water (minimum 120 °F/49 °C) and tumble‑dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. For items that cannot be laundered, place them in a sealed bag and expose them to a professional heat‑treatment service or store them in a freezer at –4 °F (–20 °C) for a minimum of four days.
After returning, inspect luggage exterior for any attached insects or eggs. Vacuum suitcases, focusing on seams and zippers, then discard the vacuum bag or empty canister into a sealed trash container. Clean the interior of bags with a cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol.
Maintain a routine of regular household checks: examine mattress seams, box‑spring corners, headboards, and upholstered furniture for live bugs, fecal specks, or molted shells. Use protective mattress encasements designed to trap and starve any hidden insects.
Key preventive actions summarized:
- Inspect lodging and refuse rooms showing any indication of infestation.
- Store personal belongings in sealed, impermeable containers.
- Elevate luggage; avoid contact with bedding and furniture.
- Immediately launder or heat‑treat all fabric items.
- Vacuum and disinfect luggage before re‑entering the home.
- Conduct periodic inspections of sleeping areas and furniture.
Adhering to these steps minimizes the risk of transporting bedbugs from external environments into the residence.