From retail stores to five-star hotels, bed bugs can be found anywhere you can find their favorite source of food: people. According to a 2018 report by the National Pest Management Association, 97 percent of pest experts were called to a location to eradicate bed bugs within 12 months of being interviewed. In fact, the same report found that 84 percent of pest controllers surveyed said they were exterminating another type of pest just to discover a bed bug infestation, and 66 percent of pest controllers who participated in the survey said they were taking the number of bed bug calls they received to.
While getting rid of these nasty pests once they occupy your home isn’t easy, it’s easier than you might expect to make sure they don’t become unwanted guests in your space. Read on to find out which items pest controllers think could invite bed bugs into your home. And if you are concerned about inviting pests into your home, you could have bed bugs smelling this in your bedroom.
1
suitcase
Perhaps you return from those long journeys away from home with more than just jet lag. Nancy Trojan, PhD, BCE, a certified entomologist with Western Exterminator, says bed bugs often travel with luggage and infest private homes when their owners return.
To avoid this, Troyano recommends opening suitcases when entering a hotel far away from upholstered furniture. “Look for bed bugs before you put your suitcase down [and] Check your suitcase, luggage, or other items for bed bugs after your trip, “she says. Troyano also recommends drying the contents of your suitcase for 15 minutes on high heat” to kill any bed bugs that might get stuck are a ride home with you. ”And for more pest control tips delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
2
clothing
Don’t hang the new outfit in your closet until you’ve thoroughly checked it for bed bugs.
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“Be sure to look at the clothes before you buy them – but you may not be able to see the bed bugs or bed bug eggs,” says Troyano. To keep bed bugs from clothing stores from coming home with you, Troyano says, “Put everything through the dryer on high heat for 15 minutes to kill bed bugs before doing the regular wash.”
3rd
furniture
This gorgeous padded headboard might hide some nasty surprises – especially if you’re buying used ones.
“Furniture – especially soft and upholstered furniture – from unknown sources can accommodate bed bugs or bed bug eggs that you may not see immediately,” says Troyano. Your recommendation? “If you find a cool vintage item to take home with you, talk to a pest controller about doing an inspection so you can have peace of mind.”
4th
purses
If you want to make sure you don’t invite bed bugs into your room, thoroughly check any wallets you take home with you.
According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), when purses are placed on furniture or the floor, bed bugs can hitchhike and nestle in seams and pockets unnoticed until they settle in your home. And if you want to know if you need an exterminator, prepare for an insect invasion if you see this in your yard, says USDA.
5
stuffed animals
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These old stuffed animals might look cute, but they could be a bed bug free pass to your home.
The NPMA says bed bugs can nestle in stuffed animal pelts, potentially causing an infestation in any home they are later brought to. If you want to prevent this from happening, the association recommends hot washing and drying of cuddly toys the first time you step on them. And for more insight into how to deal with household pests, if you see this bug in your home, don’t step on it, experts warn.
