Skip to content

How to Prevent Bringing Bed Bugs into Your Home

Unlike most pests, bed bugs don’t just enter your home through open holes or windows. Bed bugs usually will infest a home after a homeowner has returned from traveling or after used, infested furniture has been brought into the property. Bed bugs will hitchhike on furniture, backpacks, or suitcases, and other items and then spread once in the home.

To keep bed bugs away from your property, property owners should be vigilant in monitoring for signs of bed bugs. Whether you are planning a trip or vacation, or you have a child returning from college, it’s important to monitor for signs of bed bugs so you can prevent an infestation.

suitcase with clothes and shoes - Allied Pest Control in Memphis TN

Preventing Bed Bugs After Traveling

Bed bugs most commonly will begin after someone on the property has traveled. Steps to help prevent bed bugs from coming into your home include: 

  • Inspect the lining and the inside of your suitcase before unpacking after traveling. 
  • Wash all clothes in hot water and thoroughly dry. 
  • Vacuum or steam-clean your suitcase before putting it away.
  • Check for signs of bed bugs when moving or traveling.
  • Check for signs of past or active bed bug infestations when buying used furniture. 
  • When traveling or moving, always check for signs of bed bugs.

How to Prevent Bed Bugs Spreading in Apartment Buildings

Living in an apartment building comes with a higher risk of getting bed bugs. Knowing the signs of an infestation can help you halt bugs from getting out of control. If you notice any stains on your bedding, have small red bites on your body, or have seen a bed bug, contact your landlord or property manager as soon as possible. This can ensure that other units don’t have bed bugs moving to their personal spaces.

Can Bed Bugs Spread from One Unit to Another?

Yes, bed bugs have several ways they can easily move to other parts of a building. Fortunately, they are relatively slow at spreading, so if you notice them in your apartment, there is still time to tackle them before they migrate to other people’s units.

Are Landlords Responsible for Bed Bugs in Apartments?

It is difficult to always know how bed bugs enter a residence in an apartment complex, especially if there are a lot of units. As long as the tenant cannot be proven to introduce bed bugs to an apartment, the landlord is usually the party responsible for the costs of extermination. This may change depending on the laws of the state, as each state has unique statutes about landlord obligations. Either way, renters insurance typically does not cover tarnished items related to a bed bug infestation.

Best Bed Bug Home Prevention in Memphis TN Metro Area

Prevention is key to keeping bed bugs from entering your home. Despite your best efforts, sometimes an infestation will still take place. At this point, bringing in a professional bed bug exterminator may be your best course of action to inspect your residence and put together a treatment plan.

Back to Bed Bug Prevention

How to Prevent Bringing Bed Bugs into Your Home Serving Western Tennessee and Northern Mississippi

Arlington | Brownsville | Cordova | Covington | Franklin | Germantown | Hernando | Holly Springs

Iuka | Jackson | Memphis | Murfreesboro | Nashville | Olive Branch | Senatobia | Southaven