Bed bug Prevention
Tips on how to minimise the risk of getting bed bugs in home.
Bed bug prevention at home
Second hand furniture
Check second hand furniture, beds, and couches for any signs of a bed bug infestation before bringing it into your home. If you must bring it into your home inspect it and vacuum it thoroughly.
Car boot sales and second hand stores
A lot of the merchandise at car boot sales or second hand stores has been thrown away by the former owners and found itself for sale. Who is to say the former owners didn’t have bed bugs and were throwing away rather than treating the goods. Beware and always inspect any items you buy thoroughly before bringing them into your home.
Bedding
Wash your bedding as hot as possible of the item on a weekly basis, put your pillows and other none washable items into a dryer on hot for 30 minut
Mattress
Use a protective cover that encases mattresses and box springs and eliminate the bed bugs favourite hiding spot.
The light colour of the encasement also makes bed bugs and their faeces easier to see.
If you have no mattress encasement/cover and your mattress is torn, seal the tears with duct tape.
Bed
Keep your bed away from the wall and use detector cups under the beds feet.
Also keep the bed covers or duvet from touching the ground.
Clutter
Reduce clutter in your bedrooms to reduce hiding places for bed bugs.
Vacuum Regularly
Vacuum thoroughly the whole of your bed and bedroom on a regular basis to hopefully minimise an infestation or stop it before it gets out of hand.
Pipe and Cable entries
If you live in a flat it is possible for bed bugs to enter from adjacent flats by following pipe or cable runs.
Find out where the pipes and cables enter and seal around them with silicon or similar
Cracks and Crevices
Take away as many bed bug hiding spots as possible by sealing all cracks and crevices around your bedroom, such as gaps under mouldings or skirting boards.
Bed bug prevention when travelling
Luggage rack
If you have a luggage rack in your hotel room, always use it when packing or unpacking, do not put your luggage on the bed or floor.
Seal luggage
Seal your luggage in bin liners during your stay, remembering to tape the bag closed
Inspect your room
- Carry a small torch with you to help you with your inspections
- Pull back the sheets and inspect along the seams of the mattress for tiny blood spots or live Bed bugs.
- Look along the seams of the headboard and the area behind it.
- Look along the edges of the bed base and check any seams for Bed bugs.
- Check the mattress and headboard before sleeping.
- Check any bedroom furniture, especially wood. Check in and underneath drawers.
- If your room smells of Coriander it may be infested. Check carefully.
Returning Home after travelling
Upon returning home, unpack straight into the washing machine.
Keep your luggage downstairs and thoroughly inspect then vacuum it before storing.
