High-Risk Contamination Areas:

• Hotels

• Retirement homes

• Hostels

• Shelters

• Public transportation

Infestations are not caused by poor hygiene or maintenance. Bed bugs can even be found in the most luxurious places!

How Can They Be Brought Home?

In the late 90s, bed bugs had almost disappeared. Unfortunately, this pest has reappeared and is spreading faster than ever. The probable causes are:

• International travel and trade.

• Approved pesticides have been banned and have not been replaced.

• Resistance to certain pesticides/insecticides.

Anyone can bring bed bugs home. Some situations are particularly favorable for the spread of bed bugs:

• Frequent moving;

• Traveling,

• Reusing second-hand items, such as clothing or furniture.

Prevention

For Individuals

Without giving in to paranoia, here are some tips to avoid bringing this unwanted guest home.

While traveling:

• Carefully inspect the bed, bedding, and surrounding areas for bed bugs, eggs, or black spots.

• Place your luggage as far from the bed as possible and not directly on the floor. Ideas: table, bathtub.

• It is not recommended to put clothes in the hotel wardrobe or drawers.

• Avoid placing your personal belongings or clothes on the floor or bed.

• Upon your return, heat your suitcase and its contents in a ZappBug heating tent.

At home:

• Avoid buying second-hand items: beds, bedding, furniture, electronics, clothing, books, etc. If you decide to buy them anyway, inspect them carefully. Place mattresses or box springs in a bed bug-proof cover after treating them with dry steam (Cimex Eradicator) or in a ZappBug heating tent.

• Install special bed bug covers for your mattresses, pillows, and box springs.

• Repair cracks in plaster and re-glue peeling wallpaper.

• Regularly check furniture and bedding in places where you sleep.

• Keep your home clean by vacuuming and cleaning regularly.

• Avoid cluttering your home and leaving objects lying around (reduce the number of places where bed bugs can hide).

• Monitor for any suspicious bites.

For Hospitality Professionals

• Train staff, especially housekeeping, so they:
  • Have good knowledge of bed bugs
  • Can quickly detect the presence of this pest during daily room cleaning
  • Know how to act when an infestation is detected to avoid spreading to neighboring rooms
• After a guest departs, housekeeping should:
  • Conduct a visual inspection, remove bedding to be washed at a minimum of 60°C and tumble-dried.
  • Treat the room with dry steam (Cimex Eradicator)
• Install bed bug covers for mattresses, box springs, and pillows to minimize hiding places.
• Place bed bug interceptors with diatomaceous earth under the bed.
• Place diatomaceous earth behind the baseboards.
• Prefer smooth surfaces (tiled floors, smooth chairs, etc.) and minimalist decor.
• Repair cracks in walls and peeling wallpaper.