How to avoid bed bugs

How to prevent bed bugs from hitching a ride

Before your trip

• Learn about bed bugs and their behaviour.
• Consult the Bed Bud Registry or Trip Advisor to see if other travellers have reported suspected bed bug infestations where you will be staying. Keep in mind that these reviews may not be reliable since they are not corroborated by an independent third party. It’s also important to remember that bed bugs don’t discriminate – whether you are staying in a five-star hotel or a one-star motel, you should always be cautious of bed bugs.
• Bring clear or opaque plastic bags that can be properly sealed for worn clothing/laundry and to wrap your luggage. You can find extra-large plastic bags at your hardware store.
• You may want to bring a permethrin-treated bed net. However, bed net protection will not work if the mattress is infested with bed bugs.

During travel

• Inspect your room. Check for feces and eggs in your mattress and box spring seams, creases and folds, headboard, cushions, side table drawers, chairs, furniture, picture frames, radios, TVs, phones, clocks, baseboards, window and door casings, and any cracks and crevices.
• If you suspect bed bugs:
• Don’t unpack your clothes from your suitcase. Place your luggage in the bathtub or shower stall. If there is no washroom adjacent to your room, place your luggage in a large clear plastic bag and keep it away from the bed and the floor.
• Place all clothes for laundry (including your pajamas) in a tightly sealed plastic bag to contain potentially affected clothing. To avoid escaping bed bugs back home, sort laundry in colours and place in separate plastic bags so it’s easy to load the washing machine.

When you return

• Place your luggage in an isolated part of the house, such as your garage or porch. Thoroughly inspect the suitcase and all articles of clothing that are not sealed in a plastic bag.
• Wash your clothes using the hottest machine setting (washing at high temperatures will kill the eggs). Some fabrics will not be able to withstand hot water, so dry-cleaning may be an option. Don’t forget to warn the dry cleaner about a possible bed bug problem.
• Dry your clothes at the hottest setting for at least 45 minutes.
• For suitcases and larger items that cannot be put in the washer or dryer, you can wash them with hot water (at least 37.7°C – 48.8°C or 100°F - 120°F). Use a scrub brush for the seams.
• Items that can’t be washed can be heated or frozen. If using extreme heat, the item has to be exposed to a minimum of 45°C or 113°F for at least two hours. If you freeze the item, it should be at a minimum of -5°C or 23°F for at least 5 days or can be flash frozen at -26°C or -14.8°F. For more information, the University of Minnesota has useful tips.

If you suspect that you brought back bed bugs with you, contact a pest control company for a consultation. They will have tips on how to get rid of them and suggest a treatment schedule. There are a variety of options (but also a lot of misinformation) on both toxic and non-toxic extermination methods. Talk to a professional or a person who has successfully stopped bed bug infestations at home. Resources exist – the key is to be consistent and thorough.