There has been a lot of talk about bedding hygiene, especially with the Bed Bug infestation in Paris causing big issues ahead of the Summer 2024 Olympics, expecting millions of visitors. These bed bugs are taking over, invading hotels, houses, public transport, and just about everywhere else humans are. Bed bugs are small oval-shaped, reddish-brown parasitic insects that feeds on human blood and other warm-blooded animals. Although it may seem like a problem in Paris is far away, it is spreading and will arrive on New Zealand shores very soon!

Here are a few tips on how you can help avoid bringing bed bugs into your home. Whether you have been overseas and are coming home, or even visiting a friend’s house, bed bugs are highly mobile! And are hard to kill!

Educate Yourself

Well done! You’ve taken the first step. Make sure you know what they look like and what conditions they thrive in to avoid welcoming them into your home. Be aware of places where bed bugs are most likely to be found such as hotels, motels, and other shared accommodation. Do you have bites on you after your stay? Were there small blood stains on the sheets of your accommodation after you slept in the bed?

A good tip is to never put your luggage onto your bed when you are coming home from a night away, always leave it in the garage or away from your bedroom for a few days before unpacking.

Other tips include:

1) Seal Cracks and Crevices

Reduce clutter in living spaces, as bed bugs love to hide in small cracks and crevices. Regularly vacuum your home, paying attention to corners and edges. Bed bugs love to hide and breed in small cracks and crevices in walls, baseboards, and furniture. Seal these hidden little places to reduce hiding spots for bed bugs making it harder to establish a presence.

2) Inspect your Bedding regularly!

Bed bugs are nocturnal and hence prefer to feed on their hosts as they sleep and their bites are painless so sometimes they visit unnoticed. Check your mattress, sheets, and pillowcases for any signs of bugs, small white eggs, or bugs fecal stains. Washing and changing your bedding regularly is a great habit for better hygiene and removing bed bugs.

3) Use Mattress and Box Spring Encasements.

Protect your bedding with special bed bug-proof encasements which help create a barrier for bed bugs from getting in or out of these areas. It’s important to note that bed bug treatments may not reach the core of an already infected bed base so hence they need to be disposed of. Using a Bug Lock Protector for mattresses and bases is a cost-effective option to avoid bed bug infestations.

4) Check second-hand items.

Buying second-hand furniture, appliances, clothes, etc. is a great way to live sustainably, it is encouraged that you thoroughly inspect them before bringing them inside your home.

6) Be careful when travelling.

When travelling, always inspect the hotel room and beds for signs of bed bugs. Keep your luggage on a luggage rack and avoid opening it on the bed or the floor so no bed bugs end up travelling with you back home. Also, be cautious with shared laundry facilities, always keep your belongings off the floor and use sealed bags to transport laundry.

7) Inspect Pet Bedding

Although bed bugs love to feed on human blood they may also feed on pets. Check and wash your pet's bedding regularly to help protect your furry friends at home.

Remember being proactive and creating good habits like constantly checking high-risk areas and washing bedding regularly are key to creating an uninviting home for bed bugs. Next time you're going to sleep take a minute to just check around for any signs of unwanted pests. If you suspect an infestation, consult with a pest control professional for the best appropriate measures.