How to Keep Bedbugs From Spreading When Moving

Bedbugs are known to be prevalent in in areas where people congregate in close quarters, such as hotels, apartments and dorm rooms. Preventing bedbugs from spreading when you move or travel requires careful care and possibly treatment of your furniture and other belongings. There are various do-it-yourself and professional procedures you can use to prevent the spread of bedbugs.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum
• Plastic mattress cover
• Boric acid powder
• Diatomaceous earth

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Check all bedding and furniture for the presence of bedbugs. Look along the edges of your mattress for dark spots, which are blood stains from the bugs after they have bitten you. Examine in crevices of upholstered furniture and in suitcases for indication of their carcasses, which are tiny, white shells.

• 2

  Vacuum your mattress and any upholstered furniture or suitcases thoroughly in the crevices and along edges and folds. Throw away the vacuum bag when you are finished.

• 3

  Sprinkle boric acid powder or diatomaceous earth on upholstered furniture and in suitcases to destroy any bedbugs that may remain after vacuuming.

• 4

  Replace your mattress if possible. If you are unable to do so, cover it with a heavy plastic mattress cover that goes around the entire mattress. Over time this will keep any bedbugs confined and eventually kill them.

• 5

  Wash all clothing and bedding in hot water that may have been stored in suitcases, boxes or your dresser where the bugs are found.