How to Avoid Bringing Bed Bugs Home from Travel

Bed bugs can be carried from one location to another while hiding in luggage, clothing and other belongings. Hotels and other accommodation can therefore be one way they are unintentionally brought home after travelling.

A few practical checks during your stay and when you return can help you spot potential activity early and reduce the risk of carrying bed bugs into your home.

Can bed bugs travel in luggage?

Yes. Bed bugs do not need to travel long distances on their own. They can hide in suitcases, bags, clothing and other belongings and be transported from one place to another.

This is one reason travel and overnight stays are commonly associated with bed bugs being introduced into homes.

During your trip

1. Keep luggage away from the bed

Avoid placing your suitcase or bags directly on the bed or upholstered furniture.

Where practical, keep luggage raised off the floor and away from the sleeping area. A luggage rack can be useful after you have checked it and the surrounding area.

Try to keep bags closed when you are not using them rather than leaving clothing spread around the room.

2. Check the room before unpacking

Take a few minutes to check the bed and surrounding area before unpacking your belongings.

Look particularly around:

• mattress seams and edges
• the headboard and bed frame
• bedside furniture
• cracks and crevices close to the bed
• upholstered furniture

You may notice dark spotting, small blood marks, shed skins or live insects.

If you are unsure what you are looking at, use our Bed Bug Identification Guide to compare common signs, size and appearance.

3. Keep clothing and belongings contained

Avoid leaving clothing on the bed, sofa or floor. Keeping belongings contained in your luggage also makes them easier to inspect when you leave.

What to do when you return home

1. Check luggage before putting it away

If you stayed somewhere where bed bugs were known or suspected to be present, check luggage and clothing carefully before taking them into normal storage areas.

Inspect seams, zips, pockets, folds and other sheltered areas where an insect could remain hidden.

2. Wash suitable clothing and bedding

For suitable clothing and bedding that may have been exposed, wash on a hot wash at 60°C and tumble dry on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes, where the care instructions allow.

Always follow the care label for the individual item.

3. Inspect and vacuum luggage

Check both the inside and outside of suitcases and bags carefully, particularly seams, zips and pockets.

Vacuuming accessible seams and folds can help remove loose debris and make inspection easier. Afterwards, store checked luggage away from the sleeping area.

Red cedar oil and monitoring traps after travel

If Swedish red cedar oil is already part of your household routine, you can continue to use it according to the product directions. See our Swedish Red Cedar Oil.

If you are concerned that bed bugs may have been brought home but have not found clear evidence, monitoring can help you check for activity over time.

Our Bed Bug Traps with Attractant – 5 Monitoring Traps are designed for early detection and ongoing monitoring around beds, skirting boards and upholstered furniture.

You can also view our Bed Bug Protection Kit, which combines household-use Swedish red cedar oil with bed bug monitoring products.

Monitoring traps are intended to help detect activity. Neither a monitoring trap nor Swedish red cedar oil should be presented as a standalone treatment for an established infestation.

What if you find signs of bed bugs?

If you find a suspected insect or other signs around the bed, first compare what you have found with our Bed Bug Identification Guide.

If you find clear evidence of an established infestation, consider contacting a professional pest controller or your local council pest-control service.

Frequently asked questions

Can bed bugs travel in luggage?

Yes. Bed bugs can hide in suitcases, bags, clothing and other belongings and be carried from one location to another.

Can bed bugs fly or jump?

Bed bugs do not fly. They move by crawling and can travel longer distances when transported in belongings such as luggage or clothing.

Where should I keep my suitcase in a hotel?

Avoid placing luggage directly on the bed or upholstered furniture. Where practical, keep it raised and away from the sleeping area after checking the location first.

Should I wash clothes after staying somewhere with bed bugs?

If clothing may have been exposed and its care instructions allow, wash it at 60°C and tumble dry on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes.

Can monitoring traps get rid of an infestation?

No. Monitoring traps are designed to help detect and monitor activity. They are not intended as a standalone treatment for an established infestation.