What if someone has bed bugs, and comes to your house? Or you go to their house?
What if one of your child’s friends has bed bugs?
What if a family member has bed bugs?
These are all very common questions, and we’re going to break down the facts, risks and precautions you should take!
Can you hang out with someone who has bed bugs?
The answer is yes, but very carefully and mindful of the risk factors. Sometimes it is literally impossible to avoid a friend or family member that has bed bugs. You may need to assist a family member, or you may want to just simply see your friend! Bed bugs have a serious stigma attached to them, and it can be very isolating. You can still hang out with someone who has bed bugs, you just need to be careful and take certain steps to protect yourself and your home.
Here are the facts
Bed bugs do not live on someone’s body. Unlike lice or fleas, a bed bug is a hitchhiking pest that may catch a ride on clothing, but they are not actually living on a person.
Bed bugs cannot fly or jump, so close contact is not necessarily a risk .. However physical contact such as a hug, or even sitting on eachother’s furniture can be a risk.
We are around bed bugs every day, and if we can manage to avoid bringing them home – so can YOU!
What if someone has bed bugs, and comes to your house?
If someone has bed bugs and comes to your house, you need to take certain precautions. If you suspect someone has bed bugs and comes to your house, similar rules apply! While every situation may vary (like an elderly family member or kiddos) you can take as many precautions as possible.
If they are being open and honest, ask them to dry their clothes and coats on high heat immediately before leaving their house to visit yours. This is the single most important tool in the toolbox! Ask your friend or family member to limit the items they bring (like bags, coats, extra items, etc)
If possible, you will want to keep contact to a minimum. Visit on a porch or outdoors, or sit at a kitchen table or other furniture that isn’t fabric. If this is not possible, then you must take preventative measures after the visit.
Kiddos become a little more complicated. Whether it’s visiting friends or shared custody, it’s really important to keep things in check to avoid an issue. Try to dry anything you can on high heat for 30 minutes, and limit what is brought back and forth.
After a visit, it’s a good idea to vacuum the area and visually see if you can locate any live bugs. Stay vigilant in the coming days and weeks and look for the signs of bed bugs. Dry bedding and blankets on high heat at least once a week and keep clutter to a minimum so there are less hiding spots!
Visiting Someone Who Has Bed Bugs
Whether you hang out with someone who has bed bugs or go to their house, there are important steps to take to prevent bringing bed bugs back to your home.
- Limit what you take. Leave your coat, bags, etc at home if possible.
- If you take a coat or bag, do not pile it up on a bed or floor.
- Do not bring any items that may be infested into your home (like gifts, boxes of stuff, bags etc).
- Be mindful of where you visit. If you are in public, there may not be much option.. However if you are at someone’s home try not sit on a couch or chair that is fabric. Opt to sit at a dining table to stool, etc.
- Again if we are being honest, ask your friend to dry their clothing on high heat immediately before they leave the house if you are meeting out and about!
- When you arrive home, immediately change your clothes and put the (potentially) exposed clothing and coats into the dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Leave shoes on a porch or garage if possible.
Avoiding bed bugs can be a bit of a dance, but it is possible. For many, the option doesn’t exist – You must see your friend or family member! Taking a few extra precautions and staying vigilant can go a long way to protecting your home.
If you suspect you were exposed to bed bugs, call today to schedule a free bed bug inspection 216-544-8292
