You are returning from a trip to the south and the last thing you want is to bring bed bugs back in your luggage. These stowaway insects easily sneak into suitcases and can turn your return into a nightmare.
The good news: a few simple actions before, during, and after your stay are enough to protect your home. This guide explains exactly how to travel safely and what to do if you discover bed bugs despite your precautions.
What you need to remember
- Bed bugs mainly travel in luggage and clothing
- Prevention starts as soon as you arrive at the hotel and continues when you return
- A simple decontamination protocol eliminates risks upon your arrival
- Acting quickly in case of infestation significantly limits the damage
Good habits at the hotel
As soon as you arrive, never place your luggage on the bed or the floor. Use the metal or plastic luggage rack, ideally in the center of the room, away from walls and furniture.
The bathroom remains the safest place to temporarily store your suitcases. Tiled surfaces do not attract bed bugs and make them easier to detect.
Keep your clothes in your luggage or in airtight bags. Do not put them in drawers or the room closet, even if the hotel seems spotless.
Place your dirty laundry immediately in a closed plastic bag, separate from your clean clothes. This simple habit greatly reduces the risk of contamination.
Health Canada recommends these precautions for all travelers.
The protocol for returning home
Your best defense starts even before entering your home. If possible, treat your luggage outside: garage, balcony, or outdoor entry.
| Step | Recommended action | Why it’s important |
| Outdoor inspection | Examine suitcases before entering | Prevents bringing bed bugs into the home |
| Immediate sorting | Separate washable from non-washable items | Makes targeted treatment easier |
| Hot wash | Water at 60°C minimum + 30 min drying | Kills bed bugs and their eggs instantly |
| Freezing | Delicate items in freezer 4 days at -18°C | Effective alternative for non-washables |
| Vacuuming | Clean the inside of empty suitcases | Removes hidden insects and eggs |
Treating your belongings effectively
Start with the laundry. Carry it directly from your suitcase to the washing machine without passing through other rooms. Wash everything at the highest temperature the fabrics can handle, ideally 60°C or more.
Drying is crucial. Put all your clothes in the dryer on the hottest cycle for at least 30 minutes. Intense heat kills bed bugs at all stages of development.
For non-washable items, you have two options: freezing for four consecutive days at a minimum of -18°C, or sealing them in airtight bags for several weeks.
Your suitcases require special attention. Vacuum all corners, seams, and pockets. Immediately empty the bag or container into a sealed plastic bag and throw it away outside.
Clean the exterior of your luggage with a damp cloth and soap. Let them dry completely before storing them in airtight plastic covers.
Costly mistakes
The Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services warns against these risky practices:
- Placing suitcases in the bedroom: Many travelers return exhausted and put their luggage directly in the most vulnerable room. Bed bugs seek proximity to sleeping humans.
- Washing in cold water: Bed bugs easily survive low temperatures. Only intense heat of 60°C or more guarantees complete elimination.
- Delaying luggage treatment: Bed bugs move quickly and can infest your home in just a few days. Act immediately, even if you are tired.
- Underestimating small items: A book, toiletry bag, or even a phone charger can harbor eggs invisible to the naked eye. Inspect absolutely everything that comes back from a trip.
- Shaking clothes indoors: This spreads bed bugs or their eggs into different rooms, making the problem worse instead of solving it.
What to do if you find bed bugs after returning
Immediate reaction: Isolate the affected area. If you discover bed bugs in your bedroom, close the door and place a towel at the bottom to limit their movement.
Avoid moving your belongings from one room to another. Treat everything on site or in airtight bags that you will take directly to the washer or outside.
Start heat treatment immediately. The faster you act, the less time the bugs have to reproduce.
Vacuum thoroughly the mattress, box spring, baseboards, and all bedroom furniture. Throw away the vacuum bag outside immediately.
Contact a professional exterminator without delay. Bed bugs are extremely difficult to eliminate on your own. Quick intervention costs less than a widespread infestation.
While waiting for treatment, you can sleep in your bed. Changing rooms makes the problem worse: the bugs will follow you and infest other areas.
Monitor your home after a trip
During the two to three weeks following your return, stay vigilant. Regularly inspect your bedding, especially the seams of the mattress and box spring.
Watch your skin. Bed bug bites often appear in rows or groups of three and cause intense itching.
Check your sheets every morning. Small black spots (droppings) or blood stains are signs of nighttime activity. Never ignore these clues.
Keep your bedroom tidy. Clutter provides more hiding places for bugs and makes detection harder.
If you travel frequently, consider using bed bug-proof covers for your mattress and pillows. They create a protective barrier and make visual inspection easier.
Travel without bringing back unwanted souvenirs
A few simple steps after a trip effectively protect your home from bed bugs. Treating your luggage immediately outside and washing at high temperature eliminate the risks. These precautions take a few hours, compared to the weeks of costly treatment for a home infestation.
Need an inspection or intervention?
If you have any doubt after returning from a trip or notice suspicious signs in your bedroom, our team can quickly assess the situation and offer you an action plan adapted to your needs.
Contact us before it’s too late.
Frequently Asked Questions
Home treatments are rarely effective against bed bugs. These insects are resistant to most over-the-counter insecticides and hide in inaccessible places. Professional intervention remains the most reliable and economical solution.