How can you avoid transporting bedbugs with you when moving to a new home? - briefly
Inspect all belongings, seal items in airtight containers, and treat furniture with heat or approved insecticide before transport. Clean and vacuum the moving vehicle thoroughly, then inspect the new residence immediately upon arrival.
How can you avoid transporting bedbugs with you when moving to a new home? - in detail
When relocating, the primary risk of bringing bedbugs into a new residence lies in contaminated furniture, clothing, and boxes. Eliminating that risk requires systematic inspection, treatment, and controlled packing.
Begin by examining every item that will be moved. Use a bright light and a magnifying lens to check seams, folds, and crevices. Pay special attention to mattresses, box springs, headboards, upholstered chairs, and luggage. If live insects or dark‑brown spots (fecal stains) are found, isolate the item in a sealed plastic bag and treat it immediately with a certified insecticide or hot‑water washing.
Prepare belongings before packing. Wash all fabrics—clothing, bedding, curtains—on the hottest cycle the material tolerates, then dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. For items that cannot be laundered, place them in a freezer at –18 °C (0 °F) for a minimum of four days to kill all life stages. Vacuum every surface thoroughly, discarding the vacuum bag or cleaning the canister afterward.
Use packing materials that prevent escape. Enclose each box in a double layer of heavy‑duty polyethylene film, sealing all seams with tape. For large furniture, wrap it in a tarpaulin that is tightly secured with zip ties. Label each package as “inspection‑passed” to avoid accidental handling of unchecked items.
During transportation, keep packed goods in a climate‑controlled vehicle that maintains temperatures above 20 °C (68 °F) to discourage bedbug activity. Load boxes and furniture onto pallets to avoid direct contact with the truck floor, which may harbor stray insects. Do not place items on the driver’s seat or in the passenger cabin.
After arrival, inspect the new home before unpacking. Treat the empty rooms with an appropriate residual spray, focusing on baseboards, cracks, and electrical outlets. Only introduce items that have been verified as clean. As you unpack, place each box directly into its final location and immediately seal any empty containers for disposal.
Finally, monitor the residence for at least two weeks. Use interceptors under bed legs and sticky traps in corners to detect any unnoticed introductions. If signs appear, initiate a targeted treatment without delay. Following these procedures dramatically reduces the chance of transporting bedbugs to a new dwelling.