At home
Regularly vacuum all rooms of your home as well as the mattresses and springs, and in particular along seams, folds and structures of the bed in order to detect and prevent the presence of bedbugs. Dispose of the vacuum bag in an air-tight bag.
- Keep the dwelling unit clean and free from clutter of objects and furniture.
- Eliminate clutter in the common areas of the building.
- Instead of disposing of contaminated mattresses on the street, they may be able to be steam cleaned or protected with an anti-dust mite/anti-bedbug cover. Follow your exterminator’s instructions.
- Make bedbug-infested mattresses and other such objects unusable and put them in plastic covers before disposing of them on the street.
- Whenever possible, avoid installing rugs, carpets or wallpaper, as bedbugs can easily hide in there.
Outdoors
- Don't pick up any furniture, clothing or objects found outdoors or disposed of for the household waste collection.
- If you buy second-hand clothing, put it in air-tight, plastic bags before bringing it home. Then empty the contents of the bags directly into the dryer. Dispose of the empty bags in the garbage outdoors. Run the dryer on the hottest cycle for at least 30 minutes to kill any bedbugs that may be there as well as their eggs.
On returning from a trip
- On returning from a trip outside the country, put your clothing in well-sealed bags.
- On returning home, put the contents of the bags in the dryer, on the hottest cycle, for at least 30 minutes.
- Dispose of the empty bags in the garbage outdoors.
- Vacuum your luggage to clean it.
Tips for Travellers
Before you go
- If possible, bring clothing that can be put in the dryer.
- Bring plastic bags to put inside any clothing you have worn or any personal belongings that will have to be removed from the luggage.
During your travels
- Don't put anything on the floor or bed.
- Place luggage and any other bag on the luggage rack or in the bathroom.
- Keep luggage and other bags closed.
- Carefully inspect the mattress, headboard and furniture near the bed to check whether there are any bedbugs or any signs of their presence, such as little black stains.
- Keep your clothes in your luggage or hung on hangers in the closet.
- Don't put your clothes or other belongings in the furniture drawers.
- Put clothing in an air-tight, plastic bag.
If you find bedbugs, ask to change your room. Inspect your new room and follow the instructions above.
On returning from your travels
If you find insect bites on your skin or have any doubts about the possibility that bedbugs may be hiding in your luggage:
- Keep luggage and other bags outside and put them in a big, air-tight bag until you can inspect them and thoroughly clean them.
- Put clothing in an air-tight bag before bringing it into your home.
- Empty the contents of the bag directly into the dryer and run it on the hottest cycle for at least 30 minutes.
- Dispose of the empty bag in the garbage outside your home.
- Thoroughly clean luggage with a vacuum cleaner, using the brush tool.
- Dispose of the vacuum bag in the garbage outside your home. If you use a bagless vacuum cleaner, empty its contents in the garbage outside your home and clean the vacuum cleaner according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Moving Tips
Moving is a time when bedbugs are liable to spread. Don’t become alarmed, but rather take precautions and be civic-mindedl.
Before moving
- Put clothing, bedding, curtains and drapes in air-tight, plastic bags.
- Close cardboard boxes with tape, taking care to fully cover all openings.
- Wrap mattresses and furniture in big, plastic, air-tight bags.
While moving
- Inspect the moving truck before placing your personal belongings inside.
- Vacuum the truck or carefully sweep the floor of the vehicle.
- Dispose of the vacuum bag in the garbage outside your home.
Inquire about bedbug-related measures offered before choosing a moving company.
Before moving furniture into your new home
- In the dark, using a flashlight, check whether there are any bedbugs or eggs, especially in the bedrooms.
- Inspect the cracks in the walls or mouldings as well as the spaces behind the radiators and power outlets.
- Immediately inform the building owner if there are any bedbugs in the apartment. The building owner must then call upon a qualified exterminator.
Bedbugs hide from the light of day and generally emerge only at night.
