Did you know that bed bugs can hide and be transferred from one place to another in your books, bags and belongings? Well, they can. So, what should you do when you spot one hiding out in your favorite pair of shoes? While you can take matters into your own hands, consider consulting a pest management professional first. They can help make the extermination process easier and help to protect your possessions. Here’s what to do about bed bugs in your belongings.
Bed Bugs in Books
If you’ve noticed black spots on the fore edge of a book, it may be bed bugs. Due to their small size, bed bugs can fit into several different parts of a book. This includes the binding, fore-edge and protective covering. Bed bugs can be found in or on books or magazines that are found near your resting areas.
To determine if bed bugs are hiding in your books, first conduct a thorough inspection. Since bed bugs can be hard to see, lay the book against a white sheet or bathtub. It is possible that bed bugs may try to escape upon detection. To avoid migration, keep a vacuum and plastic bags close by. Seal infested books within a plastic bag immediately. If you have bed bugs in books around your home, contact a pest management professional. Your pest control specialist can help remove them and inspect other areas to which bed bugs could have migrated.
Bed Bugs in Luggage
When traveling, bed bugs might hitch a ride on your luggage. If bed bugs are not detected before you arrive at your destination, you risk spreading the infestation. Use a flashlight to check all areas of your bag, including pockets and seams. If you find bed bugs in your luggage, there are ways that you can remove them.
Vacuuming with a crevice tool attachment can move them into the vacuum bag. This will not kill bed bugs, but it may contain them within the sealed vacuum bag. When emptying the bag, it is important that you remove all bed bugs. If left inside the bag, they could escape. It may be best to seal the vacuum bag in a plastic bag and leave it for a pest management professional. It is important that you also clean the luggage upon removal. Many sources recommend hot soapy water or store-bought luggage cleaners. As a best practice, bed bugs in luggage should be removed and cleaned by professionals to ensure proper extermination.
Bed Bugs in Shoes
Do you have a closet full of barely-worn shoes? They may be housing bed bugs. In shoes, bed bugs can hide under soles, between fabrics and in crevices. This includes boots, heels, sneakers and sandals. Before inspecting the shoe, make sure you wear protective gloves as you will need to be hands-on. Examine all materials, layers, laces, zippers and mesh. If you find bed bugs or suspect their presence, move shoes into a plastic bag or container. For the sake of your shoes, it is best to call a pest management professional. Specialists can provide proper instructions on how to salvage your shoes and help ensure the infestation does not spread. For example, delicate materials should not be washed or thrown into a clothes dryer. A pest management professional may recommend a specialized freeze treatment instead.
Bed Bugs in Electronics
Like with other household items, bed bugs can find their way into electronics with small openings. Think TV’s, phones, remotes, gaming consoles, computers and printers. To inspect your device, use a magnifying glass and make sure you’re aware of the common bed bug signs. If you spot bed bugs in electronics, you may not want to take matters into your own hand. Attempting any do-it-yourself solutions can put both you and your electronics at risk. Additionally, you may worsen your chances of safely removing the bed bugs from your device. As a safety precaution, call in help from a pest management professional.
Bed Bug Removal
If bed bugs are spotted anywhere in your home, schedule an appointment with Terminix®. Our trained technicians have the necessary skills to help detect and remove infestations from your home.
