Bed bugs are more prevalent than ever before.
With many people travelling all over the world for business and holidays, it’s no wonder these critters spread so easily. Other reasons for the increase in bed bug infestations include second-hand furniture sales and tolerance the pesticides.
Hotels, hostels, BnBs, holiday camps, or a block of flats, can accommodate hundreds, and thousands of occupants each year.
All it takes is one person to unwittingly carry bed bugs into a room and allow the bugs to infest the room. When the next occupant arrives, the bugs can crawl onto their clothes and luggage and hitch a ride to another destination when they leave.
Bed bugs usually hide in the cracks and crevices of furniture, wallpaper, and the seams of bed linen and mattresses. You may never visibly see any bed bugs, but you will certainly notice bite marks on your body, leaving no doubt there’s an infestation.
How to prevent spreading bed bugs?
Always keep your suitcase away from the bed itself, and avoid letting it rest on the floor. Placing it on a desk or table is ideal. When you arrive home, check your luggage and clothing for signs of bugs. If you find bugs, wash and tumble-dry all clothing, bedding, and as many contents as possible. For items that cannot be washed, place them into a bag and put them into a freezer for at least 3 days.
Hotel companies, and individuals offering accommodation, should implement a monitoring system, to detect signs of an infestation. This includes training staff to spot the subtle signs and alert a pest controller before a guest enters the room.
What treatments are available?
Two main methods work: heat and insecticide treatment.
However, the correct preparation must be carried out for any treatment to work effectively. All bed sheets, curtains, and clothes must be removed, washed, and tumble-dried. Every drawer and wardrobe must be emptied, but be careful not to place objects, such as books, CDs, posters, or boxes in any other room to prevent further spread. Items that can’t be washed or tumble-dried should be placed in a bag and put in the freezer overnight.
For a thorough explanation of how to prepare, or to find out whether you truly do have an infestation, contact a bed bugs expert immediately.