Bed Bug Prevention: Travel, Furniture and Home Checks

Bed bugs can travel with belongings and used furniture. Practical checks can reduce the chance of bringing them home, but no single habit guarantees prevention.

Inspect before bringing items indoors

Check secondhand beds, couches and other furniture for bed bugs or their signs. During travel, inspect the sleeping area and keep luggage away from the bed and upholstered furniture when practical. If you find suspicious evidence, document it and report it to the property manager.

Make hiding places easier to inspect

• Reduce clutter around sleeping areas.
• Use an appropriate bed-bug-proof mattress and box-spring encasement and check it for damage.
• Inspect seams, joints and nearby areas when concerns arise.
• Keep potentially affected items contained until you have a handling plan.

If you suspect bed bugs

Seek identification from physical evidence. Bites alone do not confirm bed bugs. Avoid moving furniture between rooms or discarding belongings without advice, since unnecessary movement can complicate the problem.

Heat treatment of washable items requires appropriate temperatures and handling; follow care instructions and the pest professional’s preparation directions. Household cleaning alone is not a substitute for an infestation treatment plan.

Ask Plank about inspection, preparation, treatment options and how follow-up will be evaluated. In a rental property, notify the responsible manager promptly so inspection and service can be coordinated.

Reference: EPA: Protecting Your Home from Bed Bugs.

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