The dispersal of bed bugs is passive in that they rely on their hosts for distribution. They are very successful “hitchhikers” by traveling via luggage, furniture, clothing, bedding and baggage.

Prevention must be directed towards the establishment of careful inspections of all mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards on a monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly basis in efforts to detect introductions at an early stage. Efforts should also be made to seal areas that are attractive to bed bug harborage, such as cracks in baseboards and wooden bed frames. Bed Bug mattress encasements are a recent development that must be made part of any preventative program.

Education through the use of fact sheets and regular training, which we can offered to the housekeeping and engineering staff of any hotel, motel or cruise ship, are extremely important if bed bug activity is to be caught early on and eliminated.