Anyone who has ever dealt with a bed bug infestation will tell you how traumatizing it is. A round of bed bugs is the last thing that you want to bring home from a trip. Here is a closer look at how you can spot and contain these critters before they spread uncontrollably throughout the home.

Start by Examining Your Luggage

Most bed bugs travel home with you by hitching a ride in your luggage. It only takes minutes for a bug to crawl into an open suitcase and make it all the way home. The bugs can then easily spread throughout the house by crawling onto bedding, clothing, and furniture.

This makes a careful inspection of the luggage the best line of defense. Before heading home, perform a visual examination of all suitcases, backpacks, laptop cases, and anything else that was in the hotel room where a bug could be hiding. Pay careful attention to pockets, zippers, and luggage wheels. Keeping your luggage elevated on the dedicated rack in the hotel room will also keep it off the floor and make it harder for bugs to reach.

A suitcase cover is an invaluable travel tool to have in your arsenal. These disposable bags create an extra layer of protection between the luggage and the hotel, lowering the chance of the bugs making it into the suitcase and back home. Thicker bags are naturally more durable than the thinner version, reducing the threat of the bag tearing and creating an opening for the bugs.

Once home, leave the luggage outside and inspect all crevices carefully before bringing it inside. A tiny flashlight is ideal for checking within the fabric folds and the exterior components of the luggage. It is also advised to check all seams and latches, keeping in mind that the bugs are often difficult to spot with the naked eye.

Put Interceptor Traps Under the Bed

A good preventative strategy when not out on the road is to place interceptors beneath all four bed legs. These tiny dishes are designed with a textured and slippery surface that makes it difficult for the bugs to climb from the floor to the bed.

Not only will these traps hopefully prevent the bugs from reaching the bed, but they will also give you peace of mind. Studies have shown that black interceptor cups are the most successful at trapping the pesky critters, as the bed bugs are more attracted to darker shades than white.

Clear the Clutter

Clutter around the bed provides easier hiding space for the bugs. While it is tempting to stack your bed with pillows and fuzzy blankets, you are simply creating more places for these bugs to hide out of sight.

If you need to store clothes or other soft bedding under or around the bed, consider the use of an airtight storage bin. These bins will keep you better organized while also limiting potential spots for the bed bugs to land. Be sure to choose a product that has a sealed lid and a secure latching closure. Bed bugs are so small in size that they are easily able to sneak into tiny crevices if the bin is not tightly sealed.

Use Heat to Kill the Bugs

One last ounce of prevention is to heat-treat your belongings after returning home. Sustained heat has been shown to kill the bugs on contact. Savvy travelers put all of the clothes into the dryer upon returning home, even if they do not need to be washed.

There are also specially designed heating containers that prevent the spread of bed bugs. These portable receptacles allow you to stack your belongings and crank the heat up to 120 degrees. Depending on the size, you may be able to heat-treat luggage, duffel bags, and backpacks in these containers. Simply plug in the receptacle and turn it on for a blast of heat that no bed bug will survive.

If all of these prevention efforts fail, a professional pest control company is equipped to handle mass bed bug infestations using a variety of strategies.

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