How to avoid bed bugs when returning from a trip

The holidays are over. It’s time to go home and get back to your routine. However, if you are returning from a trip, you should check out the following tips to avoid bringing bed bugs home.

With global travel on the rise, the prevalence of bed bugs can be a fast-growing problem for travellers. There have been reports in recent years of passengers being bitten by more than the travel bug. Do you know why?

Contrary to their name, bed bugs are not only found in beds. They can be easily transportable in clothes and baggage.  Luggage stands in hotel rooms are a hot spot for bed bug activity. Bed bugs often use luggage to travel and infest a new home. Because of this, luggage stands are often the first point of contact for bed bugs.  For this reason, when you return from a trip, you might have brought bedbugs home unexpectedly and that may cause bed bug bites . Therefore, it’s better to keep an eye on the signs of bed bugs to avoid an infestation.

How to prevent bed bugs when returning from a trip

When you get back home, remember to use your WITS:

• Wash your bed clothes at a temperature of at least 60℃, and if possible place the items into a tumble dryer for at least 30 minutes. Bed bugs aren’t great survivors in high temperatures. Washing clothing will help eliminate both adult bed bugs and bed bug eggs, reducing the risk of a bed bug in your home.
• Inspect your luggage, clothes, beds and furniture for signs of infestation. And remember to check after visitors too.
• Tidy your rooms. You can see signs of infestation more clearly when your rooms are clean and tidy.
• Send old clothes and linens to charity shops. Don’t leave them lying around in closets. If you don’t wear it, you don’t need it.