Bed Bugs: How Can You Prevent?

Bed bugs are currently found all over the world, from America to Asia. Although it was initially assumed that bed bugs were only a problem in developing countries, they have recently spread rapidly across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and other European countries. We note the presence of bed bugs in all types of establishments, from five-star hotels to inns and private residences. Poor hygienic facilities are therefore not a condition for the presence of bed bugs.

Causes for the distribution of bed bugs

• Bedbugs have developed strongly over the years and have become resistant to the majority of insecticides / biocides.
• Stricter legislation on the use of aggressive biocides / insecticides.
• Bed bugs can hide very well in crevasses and cracks that we cannot reach and then move around unseen.
• Increasing and changing travel behavior: travel is becoming increasingly cheaper and people benefit from this by traveling more often and visiting distant / exotic destinations.
• Trends such as couch surfing and Airbnb bring travelers into your home.
• The sale of vintage and second-hand items is becoming increasingly popular, but these can contain bedbugs.

How can I prevent bed bugs?

Bed bugs enter a home most often through suitcases, travel bags and backpacks that we use when traveling or on the move. Bedbugs also often stick to shoes that come in contact with a bedbug infestation. They also sometimes move via electricity cables. In other words, it is best to prevent bedbugs with preventive measures:

• Look for openings in the contaminated room (s) and plug them in, for example, cracks and cracks around electrical cables or skirting boards.
• Preferably do not purchase second-hand carpets, chairs, seats or beds, if you do, check the furniture thoroughly for their presence.
• If possible, wash your bedding and textiles regularly at high temperature (55 °) to control the bed bugs' eggs.

How can I avoid bed bugs when traveling?

Here too it is better to prevent than to cure. There are a number of points you can pay attention to:

• Check the hotel room or whereabouts for bed bugs before unpacking everything: the corners and seams of the bed and bed linen, small blood stains, possible cracks or cracks in the walls, around baseboards. Bed bugs prefer hotels because they are always staying here and can do well to new guests every night. Don't forget, they can stay for more than 6 months in an empty house.
• Do not place your bags on or around the bed at the hotel. Store them in a higher location or a luggage rack.
• Upon returning home, check your luggage for bed bugs. Wash all items at a high temperature.
• The internet is a source of information: many people often leave comments or reviews about the hotel where they stayed. Type the name of your hotel + bed bugs or bed bugs in Google. If the hotel has ever been troubled by this kind of vermin, there is a good chance that a hotel guest wrote something about it.