Back From a Trip? How to Check for Bed Bugs Before They Spread
Bed bugs travel in luggage seams, backpacks and secondhand furniture. A quick check when you get home is the cheapest bed bug treatment there is.
The luggage check
Unpack on a hard floor, not the bed. Inspect seams and zippers with a flashlight. Wash everything on hot and dry on high for 30 minutes. Vacuum the suitcase.
The bedroom check
Pull back the fitted sheet and look at mattress seams, the box spring and the headboard for flat brown bugs, tiny white eggs and rusty spots.
When to call
Live bugs, bites in rows or a sweet musty smell mean the population is established. Sprays from the hardware store scatter them into other rooms. Professional bed bug treatment uses heat and targeted products, with a follow-up visit to confirm.
Same day bed bug service is available in most Florida cities. Call (833) 659-0727.