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Here’s What You Should Do to Prevent Bringing Back Bedbugs After Your Vacation

2023-11-25 , 12:40 pm

While bedbug infestations have been on the rise globally in recent months, Singapore is no exception to this growing problem.

According to The Straits Times, bedbugs are creeping into popular tourist destinations such as London, Paris, and Hong Kong.

With tens of thousands of tourists passing through Singapore each day, local pest control firms are reporting a significant increase in business.

The surge in reported bedbug cases can be primarily attributed to increased travel. This trend is expected to intensify as the holiday season approaches.

If you’d like to understand why travellers may be involved in the bedbug infestation in Singapore, watch this video to learn more.

The Straits Times spoke with five pest control firms, all reporting a substantial surge in service requests in November this year.

Source of Bedbug Infestation

Have you been woken up by the many itches of bedbug bites, leading to sleepless nights? Or perhaps you’ve been waking up to skin rashes every morning?

If you answered yes to these questions, especially after returning from a vacation, there’s a strong possibility that you’re dealing with a bedbug infestation.

You might be curious about where these troublesome critters come from and how they manage to infiltrate your home.

The answer might surprise you: bedbugs are often unwittingly transported by humans.

These little pests can hitch a ride from various places, such as hotel rooms, theatres, aeroplanes, or public transport.

They sneak into your clothing or your luggage, finding their way into your home.

With the holiday season just around the corner, taking precautions to minimise the risk of bringing bedbugs back to your home after your vacation is essential.

Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself from these unwanted pests.

Check the Furniture in Your Accommodation

Although bedbugs are commonly associated with beds, it’s essential to know that they can also lurk in other areas of your home, such as sofas.

These pesky creatures hide in the seams and zippers on mattresses and cushions.

Moreover, they can infest the gaps between cushions and even the frames of beds and sofas.

Check Your Luggage Before Flying Home

Another significant contributor to bedbug infestations is staying in accommodations that are already infested.

While you’re enjoying your vacation at resorts or hotels, bedbugs from an infested room might hitch a ride in your luggage, ready to follow you back home.

To prevent a potential bedbug infestation, make it a habit to inspect your luggage thoroughly while packing before you fly home and as you unpack upon your return.

This simple precaution can ensure that these unwanted travel companions don’t make themselves home in your living space.

Be Responsible When Using Shared Laundry Services

Launderettes and shared laundry services offer much-needed convenience, especially for those living away from home.

However, this convenience can come with an unintended risk—exposure to bedbug infestations. Bedbugs are crafty critters that may hide in the shared laundry equipment.

To safeguard yourself, it’s essential to remain vigilant.

After using shared laundry services, take a moment to thoroughly check your washed clothes for any signs of bedbugs.

Vacuum Your Home Upon Return from Vacation

Vacuuming is a powerful weapon against bedbugs, capable of removing not only the adult bedbugs but also their nymphs and elusive eggs.

To effectively combat these pests, focus your vacuuming efforts on their potential hiding spots, such as wall joints, cracks, and crevices.

Don’t overlook the bed itself. Make sure to thoroughly vacuum mattresses and bed frames to eradicate bedbugs.

While vacuuming is an important step, it’s essential to complement it with other measures. One effective strategy is to wash your linens at high temperatures, which can help eliminate bedbugs.

However, relying solely on vacuuming may not provide a 100% solution for complete bedbug removal.

In stubborn cases where the situation persists, seeking professional pest treatment is advisable to effectively address the problem.