How to Prevent Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are becoming increasingly common across the UK, and once they get into your property, they can be extremely difficult and costly to remove. The best defence is prevention. By spotting early signs of bedbugs, understanding how they spread, and taking simple steps to avoid them, you can hopefully stop an infestation before it starts. Bed bugs can easily go unnoticed because they are small and adept at hiding in cracks, crevices, and hidden areas around bedrooms and living spaces.

Preventing bed bugs is not a reflection of hygiene or cleanliness. Even spotless environments can be affected if a single bug is brought in from your  travels, visitors, neighbouring properties or second-hand items. Vigilance is key, since early detection allows you to act before bed bugs multiply and spread. While prevention steps can help limit your exposure, making them part of your regular cleaning routine further lowers the chance of an infestation. In shared buildings or flats, working with neighbours and property managers may also help prevent recurring bed bug problems. 

These simple steps below can significantly help reduce your risk from bed bugs. Moreover, it is important to develop good habits, such as checking seams in mattresses and upholstered furniture routinely, and being cautious when acquiring used furniture or textiles.

Bed bugs thrive in cluttered spaces where they can hide behind furniture, under items, or within fabric folds. Reducing clutter, especially in bedrooms, makes initial detection easier and limits their hiding places.

Vacuum floors, skirting boards, mattress seams and around bed frames. This can remove visible bugs and eggs. Avoid using brush attachments on infested areas, as these can spread bugs.

Important: Empty the vacuum immediately into a sealed bag and clean the vacuum thoroughly to avoid spreading bed bugs to other rooms.

Heat is one of the most effective natural methods for killing bed bugs. Wash at 60°c+ where possible and tumble dry for a minimum of 30 minutes.

Check seams, joints and folds of mattresses, sofas, chairs and headboards. Bed bugs are tiny and flat, so take your time when inspecting seams and edges. Look for:

• Live bed bugs (adults are the size of an apple pip)
• Tiny dark spots (faecal marks)
• Shed skins
• Eggs

Avoid bringing second-hand furniture into your home unless it has been thoroughly inspected.

If you suspect bed bug activity:

• Avoid moving items between rooms
• Do not take clothing, suitcases or furniture to friends’ or family homes
• Seal potentially affected items in plastic bags until inspected or treated
• Do not place infested items outside, (especially in communal areas) as bed bugs can spread to neighbouring properties.

DIY treatments may help reduce small numbers of bed bugs but are not effective for complete elimination. Bed bugs can be resistant to some insecticides and often widespread by the time they are noticed. For full removal, professional treatment is essential.

Hotels, guest houses, hostels, Airbnb's, and even public transport and airplanes can all be potential sources of accidental bed bug transfer, making it essential to remain vigilant while travelling. Always take a few minutes to inspect your accommodation before unpacking, following these steps:

Check for dark spots, shed skins or live bed bugs:

• Mattress seams
• Bedding
• Headboards
• Bedside cabinets
• Upholstered chairs
• Curtains & cushion seams
• The piping around the mattress
• Behind peeling wallpaper
• Around electrical sockets

Use a luggage rack if provided, or store suitcases on hard surfaces instead of soft furnishings. Place on tiled floor in bathroom or in the bath, until you've inspected the room. Hard-shell suitcases are slightly more resistant to hitchhiking bed bugs than material soft-sided luggage.

Bed bugs prefer hiding in dark, enclosed spaces. Instead of using drawers, hang your clothes in a wardrobe or on hooks, to help reduce the risk of them settling on yours.

After returning home from travelling:  

• Carefully unpack in a space like a hallway or garage whenever possible
• Meticulously inspect your belongings, as you go
• Immediately wash and dry all clothing on high heat setting
• Vacuum the suitcase and clean it thoroughly
• Store luggage in a garage or non-living space between trips

These steps don’t just protect you - they can help prevent a bed bug problem from entering your property in the first place. 

Yes, Bed bugs can travel through wall and floor cavities in shared buildings such as flats, hotels, care homes and hostels. This is why early detection and prevention are so important. They can also move through electrical sockets, lift shafts, and shared laundry areas.

While taking preventative DIY steps can lower your risks, they cannot prevent or eliminate an infestation on their own.

Professional bed bug monitoring and detection offer a higher level of protection, especially in environments where bed bugs have a history of recurring. Rentokil uses specialised detection and monitoring solutions, to identify early activity before large infestations can take hold. This approach gives homeowners, travellers and businesses peace of mind, knowing that any potential problem is being watched by experts who can act quickly if needed.

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  How can I protect myself from bed bugs?

  Check hotel rooms, reduce clutter, wash bedding on high heat, and keep luggage off soft furnishings.

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  Can you feel bedbugs crawling on you?

  Usually No. Bed bugs are very small and light, so most people do not feel them crawling. Bites are often noticed later.

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  What smells do bedbugs hate?

  Some scents may repel insects generally, but no smell is proven to prevent or eliminate bed bugs. Effective prevention requires physical and behavioural measures.

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  Can bed bugs crawl on walls?

  Yes. Bed bugs are excellent climbers and can crawl on walls, ceilings and furniture to find hiding places or hosts.

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  How do I ensure I don’t bring bed bugs home?

  Inspect luggage, bedding and furniture while travelling. Keep suitcases off beds, wash clothes on high heat and vacuum luggage afterwards.