Tips for Travelers

If you stay in a hotel or other living facility

At hotels, pull back the sheets and inspect the mattress seams, particularly at the corners, for telltale stains or spots. If you see anything suspect, notify management and change rooms/establishments immediately.

•Thoroughly inspect the entire room before unpacking, including behind the headboard and in sofas/chairs. If any pests are spotted, change rooms/establishments immediately.

•If you do need to change rooms, be sure that you do not move to a room adjacent and/or directly above/below the suspected infestation. Bed bugs can easily hitchhike via housekeeping carts, luggage and even through wall sockets. If an infestation is spreading, it typically does so in the rooms closest to the origin.

•Consider placing your suitcase in a plastic trash bag or protective cover during the duration of your trip to ensure that bed bugs cannot take up residence there prior to departure.

•After traveling, inspect your suitcases before bringing them into the house. Vacuum your suitcase thoroughly before storing away. Consider using a garment hand steamer to steam your luggage, which will kill any bed bugs or eggs that may have hitched a ride home.

•Wash all of your clothes - even those that have not been worn - in hot water to ensure that any bed bugs that may have made it that far are not placed into your drawers/closet.

"Tips for Travelers" National Pest Management Association.

http://www.allthingsbedbugs.org/bed-bug-prevention/tips-for-travelers.aspx

How to Inspect a room for Bedbugs

At Work

Although bed bugs are typically thought to be a household pest, they can hitchhike with people to their places of employment. In fact, in a recent survey by the NPMA, 17% of pest control professionals indicated that they have encountered bed bug infestations in office buildings. When surveyed a few years ago, less than 1% had found them in office buildings.

•Vacuum and clean all areas - including offices, hallways, lobbies, kitchens, storefronts and public bathrooms on a daily basis.

•Regularly inspect all areas of business for signs of bed bugs infestations. Pay close attention to the seams of furniture and upholstery for telltale brownish or reddish spots. Also beware that these pests have been known to inhabit electrical sockets, surge protectors and behind picture frames. Vigilance by all employees is key!

•Eliminate clutter as best as possible - especially in storage areas as this provides excellent hiding spots for bed bugs.

•When unpacking new inventory or receiving shipments, carefully inspect all items and packaging for signs of bed bugs before bringing them into your business.

•Encourage employees to report suspicions of bed bug activity immediately, and always contact a pest professional to investigate each claim.

•Have a policy in place for employees who may suspect a bed bug infestation at home. Many times, employees unknowingly bring these pests into the office. By having an open dialogue and official policy on these pest infestations, you may be able to help remove any concern of honest reporting.

•If a bed bug infestation is found, work with a professional pest control company to treat the infestation and perform follow-up inspections.

"Tips for the Office" All Things Bed Bugs
http://www.allthingsbedbugs.org/bed-bug-prevention/tips-for-the-office.aspx