, so care must be taken when travelling or transporting items. They can also hibernate for up to a year and remain dormant.: “Bedbugs love to migrate. They latch onto items such as luggage, clothing and second-hand furniture, and will be transported into your home.”
According to the BPCA, the common signs of an infestation include small reddish-brown clusters – about 1mm wide – on the bed frame or upholstery of the mattress, or small blood smears on the headboard. They survive by feeding on human or animal blood. Adults feed roughly once every 10 days but they can live up to one year without feeding. They move around at night.When travelling, people should not put cases or bags straight onto bedding.
Emptying cases and putting clothes to wash immediately – at a minimum of 60 degrees – can help when an infestation is first spotted. “If you’re staying in a hotel, motel or bed and breakfast, double check the mattress and other soft furnishings for signs of bed bugs, especially before putting your luggage on the bed or chairs. Do the same with second-hand furniture,” Horsley says.