How Not to Bring Bed Bugs Home

Bed bug prevention is always easier than extermination

Bed bug is one of the most problematic household pests. Many people believe they are connected to dirt, but that is a misconception. Bed bugs are attracted to humans, body heat, and the carbon dioxide we exhale. That is why they commonly appear even in clean homes and quality hotels.

In most cases, people bring bed bugs home unknowingly. The good news is that preventing bed bug introduction is very effective if you know where the greatest risks are.

Second-hand furniture and items as a common source of bed bugs

A large portion of bed bug infestations begins after acquiring a used item. Risky items include not only mattresses or sofa beds, but also upholstered furniture, beds, slatted bed bases, older wardrobes, chests of drawers, carpets, framed pictures, and even second-hand clothing. Bed bugs do not hide only in textiles — they often crawl into wood joints, under trim, into screw connections, or into structural cavities of furniture.

If you still plan to purchase something second-hand, a thorough inspection before bringing it into your home is essential. Look for small dark spots (bed bug droppings), light-colored shed skins, or eggs — small whitish oval shapes. Check seams and folds of upholstery, areas under zippers, the back sides of drawers, structural joints, and areas around screws. Ideally, inspections should be done outdoors, in a garage, or at least in a hallway — never for the first time in a bedroom.

If second-hand upholstered furniture or a mattress is to be used, treatment with a steam cleaner may help. Hot steam kills bed bugs, but very thorough application is required. It must be considered that eggs may be laid deep inside hidden structures where steam cannot penetrate, so this is not a 100% solution.

Bringing bed bugs home from hotels or travel

Another common scenario is bringing bed bugs home from a hotel, hostel, or holiday stay. The presence of bed bugs is not a sign of poor hotel hygiene — guests themselves transport them between rooms and buildings.

Risk can be significantly reduced by proper luggage handling. Never place your suitcase under the bed, where bed bugs most often stay. A luggage rack or a freestanding chair placed away from the bed is better. Do not leave clothing lying on the bed or on the floor. A quick visual check of mattress seams, bed corners, or the headboard is also worthwhile.

After returning home, open your suitcase outside the bedroom and wash travel clothes ideally at 60 °C (if the material allows). A tumble dryer is also highly effective, as higher temperatures reliably kill bed bugs and their eggs.

Repellents against bed bugs – only supportive protection

Repellents with a higher DEET content may temporarily repel bed bugs, but they do not provide reliable protection against introduction. They do not kill bed bugs, and the effect is temporary. In practice, the outer surface of a suitcase, the surroundings of folded clothes, or a hanging jacket may be treated, but this is always only a supplement to preventive measures.

Textiles, backpacks, and clothing as hiding places

Bed bugs can easily hide in backpacks, bags, and worn clothing. For this reason, clothing from travel or risky environments should not be placed next to the bed. Washing at higher temperatures and using a tumble dryer are among the most effective preventive steps against bringing bed bugs into a home.

What people often underestimate about bed bug infestations

Bed bugs do not fly or jump; they spread passively — with belongings and people. They can survive for several months without feeding, so simply "waiting them out" will not solve the problem. A small infestation can quickly turn into a large one.

A common mistake that should definitely be avoided is using over-the-counter sprays, which are ineffective against bed bugs and often make the situation worse by dispersing them into other parts of the apartment and contributing to resistance development.

Not sure whether it's bed bugs?

If you suspect bed bugs, the most reasonable solution is quick professional verification. We are happy to provide bed bug monitoring, pest identification, and expert advice. Early detection means a much simpler, faster, and less costly solution than dealing with a widespread infestation.