Three Tips For Moving From A Home Infested With Bed Bugs
It can take months to eliminate a bed bug infestation from a home, so it's understandable if you'd rather abandon the effort and relocate somewhere else. However, you have to be careful when moving your belongings because you'll could easily end up taking the problem with you. Here are three things you can do to ensure you leave the bed bug problem behind when you move from your old home.
Wash and Bag All Unused Clothing and Bedding
The first thing you'll want to do is separate out the clothing, bedding, towels, and other items you'll be using in the weeks before your move and then wash all the rest. Heat is one of the most effective ways to kill bed bugs. So, to prevent them from hitching a ride on your clothes and linens, wash them in hot water and then dry them on the hottest setting possible.
In fact, the dryer should produce a minimum of 113 degrees of heat, and you should heat treat the items for 20 to 90 minutes. For items that must be dry cleaned, you should be able to still put them in the dryer for the allotted amount of time to kill the bugs and their eggs, and then take them to a professional laundering facility for cleaning.
After washing and drying the items, place them in a large, sealable plastic bag. Ziploc big bags are a good option here, but any type of plastic bag that can be closed to prevent the bugs from getting inside and reinfesting your clothing and linens will work. Place the cleaned items in an area as far away from the bed bug infestation as possible. If you can afford it, it may even be a good idea to get a storage unit to hold sterilized items until you're ready to move.
The day before you're ready to move, launder all the remaining clothing and bedding you've used up to this point, except for the stuff you need right at that moment. The day of the move, place any unlaundered items in plastic bags as "untreated" so you know you need to wash and dry them before using them in your new home.
Use Plastic Boxes and Bags
Although cardboard boxes are cheaper, it is better to pack your things in plastic boxes and bags. First, bed bugs love cardboard and often make a home in any cracks or breaks in the material. Since it can be difficult to really inspect the cardboard for unwanted travelers, you may inadvertently bring them along to your new home.
Second, some treatment methods are much easier to do in plastic containers and bags. For instance, if you move in the middle of summer, you can leave items you think are still infected outside in the sunlight. The heat generated inside the plastic container will kill the bugs and their eggs, making it safe to bring your stuff inside your house.
Third, the plastic will do a better job of containing the bugs. For instance, you'll want to wrap your bed and box spring in plastic (or use bed-sized sealable plastic bags) and keep them covered for at least 90 days. This will prevent any bed bugs from getting out, and they will eventually starve to death.
If you must use cardboard, purchase them new (do not get used cardboard). Pack the boxes outside the home or in your garage, away from the infestation, and seal all edges with packing tape to keep the bugs from getting inside.
Get Rid of Infected Furniture
Thoroughly inspect all your furniture for the infestation. Remember, bed bugs can hide in the smallest cracks, so you'll want to look in every nook and cranny of your beds, couches, and other items.
It can be very difficult to treat furniture for bed bugs. You can do the plastic trick mentioned earlier to save some things, but others (e.g., couches, large dressers) may be harder to save. It may be better to throw these items out and replace them rather than try to treat them.
For more tips on moving when you have bed bugs or help relocating to your new home, contact a local moving company, like Tomball Moving & Storage Inc.
