Tips for Bed Bugs in Clothing Stores
As bed bug continue to make a resurgence, they are showing up
in more places, including clothing stores. Bed bugs can easily
hitch a ride into a store with shoppers. Follow these tips to avoid
bed bugs in stores, and reduce your chances of bringing the pest
home with you:
- When trying on clothing, be aware of any stains that seem
unusual. These could be telltale blood spots left by feeding bed
bugs.
- Inspect clothing carefully for bed bugs before purchasing. Even
if you choose an item from an undisturbed pile, bed bugs could
still find their way onto clothing. Pay particular attention to the
inside seams, looking for any signs of sticky white eggs, shed
skins and the bugs themselves. Notify the store manager immediately
if you suspect the clothing displays signs of bed bugs.
- Check behind dressing room mirrors and any other crevices where
bed bugs could hide - even wall sockets - before trying on
clothing.
- Avoid bed bugs in clothes by hanging your items on hooks,
rather than lay them across cushioned seats in dressing rooms or on
the carpeted floor. These are safe and popular havens for bed
bugs.
- Keep clothing in the store bag, tied and sealed if possible for
the trip home. Shake articles out outside before bringing them into
the house/apartment.
- Immediately launder the clothing in hot water or steam/dry
clean delicate items.
- If you suspect a bed bug infestation in your home, contact a
licensed pest professional for an immediate inspection.