Many people dealing with bed bugs think of relocating to escape them. Bed bugs are tiny and very good at hiding, so you may bring them along with your belongings.
If you are determined to move, you must take several precautions to ensure the bed bugs don’t come along. This article will teach you how to avoid bringing them with you.
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Is Moving Out To Escape Bedbugs A Good Idea?
Bed bugs are tiny and so good at finding hiding spots that you may bring them along with your belongings. Moving out to escape bedbugs is not the best solution. Instead of moving out, you should try to eliminate bed bugs.
Most people do not understand the risks and dreadful consequences of moving to escape bed bugs. You risk to take bed bugs to your new place and contribute to their spread. Also, considering that bed bug statistics show that they are everywhere, you will frequently be moving if you consider it a solution.
Bed bugs can infiltrate your home through various means. For example, you can take them from your friend’s place, retail stores, and hotels. The best way to deal with the scare associated with bed bugs is to learn several preventative and treatment measures.
When it’s ideal to Move to Escape Bed Bugs
Moving out to escape bed bugs is a drastic course of action, but there are some scenarios when moving is relevant. Here are some of them:
When treatment is not working out
If you have tried everything to exterminate the bedbugs but failed, it is high time to consider relocating to another place. Getting rid of bed bugs is expensive, so much so that moving makes more sense at some point. However, when you decide to move, you must be careful not to bring bed bugs.
When there is no cooperation from your landlord
Exterminating bed bugs in your apartment is your responsibility and that of your landlord, depending on the situation. The burden may rest on the landlord, but they are unwilling and ill-equipped to deal with the problem. Moving to escape bed bugs may be your best option in such a scenario.
Point to Note: You can seek legal recourse if your landlord fails to deal with the bed bug problem based on your State’s rental laws and regulations.
When you live in a heavily infested apartment complex
A study reveals a significant movement of bed bugs between apartments in an apartment complex. You should consider moving if you live in an apartment complex with a runaway bed bug infestation. Sooner or later, the bed bugs will find their way into your apartment, especially if your neighbors are unconcerned.
Being Sure You Have Bed Bugs Before You Move
Bed bug bites resemble bites from common pests, including mosquitoes, fleas, and mites. It is vital to be sure whether or not you have bed bugs when you are thinking of moving. You may have noticed some bites on your skin, but it is wrong to assume they are from bed bugs. Here are some signs that you have bed bugs:
- Reddish stains: If you find reddish stains on your clothing, especially beddings such as sheets, pillows, and mattresses, then you might be having a bed bug problem.
- Dark spots: Bed bug excrements appear as dark spots, especially around your bed and mattress.
- Bed bug eggs: Bed bug eggs resemble tiny grains of rice, but you can see them with a naked eye, especially if you are looking for them.
- Sweet, musty smell: Depending on your sense of smell, bed bugs emit a sweet, musty scent, especially when the infestation is at an advanced stage.
- Bed bug bites on skin: If you find several bite marks on your skin organized in a distinct pattern, you may have a bed bug problem on your hands.
- Live bed bugs: Inspect your house thoroughly if you suspect you have a bed bug problem. You can easily find bed bugs in high-risk spots such as beds, cracks on the walls, and floor carpets.
Preventing Bed Bugs from Moving With You
There is no full-proof way to ensure you don’t take bed bugs with you when moving. Bed bugs are excellent at hiding so much that you may miss them despite all your efforts. Nonetheless, you can minimize the chances of bringing bed bugs with you if you take appropriate steps. Here are some tips you can use to avoid relocating with bed bugs:
Vacuum everything
Vacuum cleaning all your essential items is necessary to ensure you don’t take any bed bugs to your new residence. This process has to be done effectively and with special consideration to areas with groups or clusters of bed bugs to enhance effectiveness.
Bed bugs can cling to fabrics and wedge in cracks and crevices in the rooms. Ensure you take ample time cleaning such surfaces since the pest can still crawl into your packed items. Be careful not to use too much force when cleaning fabrics since you can flick bedbugs and their eggs instead of capturing them.
- Remove the vacuum bag and seal it with tape when you finish vacuuming.
- Ensure the bag is airtight, add a plastic bag, and seal it.
- If your vacuum does not have a vacuum bag, empty it, collect the contents in a plastic bag, and close it.
- Use hot water to clean the vacuum cleaner, and avoid washing the electrical components.
- Dispose of all plastic bags as trash.
Get rid of your mattress or use a plastic encasing
The most challenging decision for persons seeking to move out due to bedbugs infestation is whether to take or dispose of their mattresses. Beddings provide bed bugs with suitable hiding spots. Mattresses and bedding provide perfect hiding spots for bed bugs because they can easily crawl out and feed.
You can dispose of your mattress or cover it with a plastic casing. A quality mattress casing prevents bed bugs from escaping and contaminating other items. Nonetheless, it is wise to vacuum your mattress before enclosing it in an airtight plastic encasing.
Treat infected furniture
You must treat your furniture if you are moving to escape bed bugs. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve seen bed bugs on them. There are several potential hiding spots in furniture that are out of reach of the eye. It is prudent to vacuum-clean them, especially the edges and cushions. Remove all the washable parts of the furniture and soak them in hot water for at least 30 minutes before washing them. Tumble-dry all unwashable furniture on high heat to exterminate bed bugs across all their life cycle stages.
Wash all infected clothes, linen, and bedding
Sort your clothes as you usually would do your laundry. Ensure you wash all your clothes, linen, and bedding in a washing machine and place them in the dryer for over 30 minutes. Set the dryer to run for over half an hour at high temperatures exceeding 120°F (~49°C) to exterminate the bed bug eggs. Put clean clothes in a plastic bag and store them in a safe room as they await transportation.
Pack all your belongings in plastic bags
It is best to pack all belongings in plastic bags, especially clothing, to avoid contamination while in transit. This precautionary measure is vital to protect your belongings from bed bugs that may potentially be on the moving vehicle.
Final Thoughts
Bed bugs are a big problem in modern society. If you decide to move, you need to be sure you don’t take them with you. You must also ensure that your new home or apartment is free of bed bugs. If you are moving into an apartment, you must contact the building manager and request a certificate of inspection beforehand. It is also wise to inspect all your belongings before putting them away in your new living space.
FAQs
Will bed bugs follow you if you move?
Yes. Bedbugs will follow you if you fail to treat your belongings correctly and meritoriously since they hide in them.
Is it possible to bring bed bugs on furniture when moving?
Yes. Bed bug hides in furniture, and it is necessary to treat them before moving on.
Before moving, should you notify your landlord or realtor of a bed bug problem?
Yes. It is necessary to inform your landlord or realtor of a bed bug problem before moving for them to arrange extermination programs for their properties.