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Last Updated on 21/02/2025 by Tony Abrahams
8 Ways To Prevent a Bed Bug Infestation
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the 8 essential factors of bed bug prevention.
- When travelling.
- After travelling.
- Second-hand furniture.
- Diatomaceous Earth
- Mattress covers.
- Prevent bed bugs from neighbouring units.
- Public spaces like cinemas.
- How to prevent bed bugs from spreading to other rooms.
How To Prevent Bed Bugs with Diatomaceous Earth
How to Prevent Bed Bugs When Travelling
Ever worried about bringing home bed bugs after a holiday? It’s a real fear for travellers.
Bed bugs love to hitch rides in your luggage, so how can you stop that? Here’s what I do:
- Inspect the hotel room before you settle in. Check the mattress seams, headboards, and bedside tables for any signs of bed bugs.
- Keep your luggage off the floor – use luggage racks instead. Bed bugs usually crawl on floors and furniture, not racks.
- Store your clothes in sealed plastic bags inside your luggage. Bed bugs won’t get through the plastic.
- Wash and dry all your clothes on high heat as soon as you get home. The heat kills any stowaways instantly.
How To Prevent Bed Bugs After Travelling
Back home? Now what? You can still prevent bed bugs from sneaking into your house after a trip.
- Unpack your luggage outside, or in the garage. Don’t bring your suitcase straight to your bedroom.
- Wash & dry your clothes on hot.
- Vacuum & disinfect your suitcase thoroughly, inside and out.
- Place your luggage in sealed bags for storage if you don’t plan to use it for a while.
- Inspect souvenirs or any other items you bought. Bed bugs can hide anywhere, even in the folds of fabric souvenirs. Place items in the freezer for 4 days if you cant wash them.
- Use Diatomaceous Earth (DE) on your bed frame. One application will be active for years unless you remove it.
Avoid Second-Hand Furniture to Prevent Bed Bugs
Buying second-hand furniture might save you money, but it can also cost you a bed bug infestation.
Here’s how to avoid that nightmare:
- Don’t pick up furniture left on the curb – it’s there for a reason.
- Inspect second-hand pieces closely for signs of bed bugs, like dark stains, eggs, or shed skins.
- Steam clean or vacuum any furniture you buy before bringing it into your home.
- Use bed bug traps on furniture legs, especially on beds and couches.
Avoid Second Hand Furniture To Prevent Bed Bugs
How To Prevent Bed Bugs on Your Bed
Your bed is their favourite target, but you can fight back.
- Apply Diatomaceous Earth (DE): Dust your bed frame with DE.
- Set up bed bug traps on each bed leg. These traps catch and kill bed bugs before they get anywhere near you.
- Isolate your bed away from walls and other furniture. Bed bugs love climbing walls to sneak into beds, so give yourself some space.
- Use a protective mattress cover to seal the mattress. If any bed bugs are inside, they won’t get out, and any new ones won’t be able to hide.
How To Prevent Bed Bugs from Infesting Your Mattress
A mattress cover can be your best defence against bed bugs. Here’s why:
- It completely seals off your mattress, trapping any bed bugs inside.
- Makes them easy to see. The white covers mean they cant hide and are easier to inspect.
- Bed bugs can’t bite through the cover, so you’re safe from their nasty bites.
- It’s easy to install and doesn’t require any special tools.
- Works perfectly with bed bug traps and Diatomaceous Earth. It’s like creating a fortress around your bed.
How To Prevent Bed Bugs from Neighbouring Units
If you live in an apartment, bed bugs can crawl through walls from neighbouring units. It’s sneaky, but you can block them.
- Dust Diatomaceous Earth (Bed Bug Killer Powder) in every crack and crevice in walls where bed bugs might slip through.
- Focus on areas near pipes, electrical outlets, and shared walls.
- Seal any gaps you find with caulk after dusting the DE for extra protection.
- Use bed bug traps on your furniture to stop any invaders that make it through.
Bed Bug Travel Through Power Points
How To Prevent Bed Bugs from Public Spaces
Public places are prime spots for bed bugs, especially places like cinemas or theatres. You don’t want to bring any unwanted guests home.
- Leave your handbag at home or use a smaller bag you can keep on your lap.
- Don’t place your bags on the floor. If you must bring a bag, keep it off the ground.
- Check your clothing and bags after leaving a public place. Bed bugs can latch onto fabric, so be mindful of where you’ve been.
Prevent Bed Bugs from Spreading in Your Home
Bed bugs spread quickly, especially when treatments are not fully effective. Here are key reasons they spread and how to prevent it:
- Ineffective Home Treatments: Essential oils and chemical treatments may only repel bed bugs temporarily, causing them to scatter and find new hiding places rather than eliminating the infestation.
- Pregnant Females: Female bed bugs, especially when pregnant, will seek out new locations to lay eggs, contributing significantly to the spread throughout your home.
- Partial Solutions: Using incomplete treatment plans can lead to the infestation worsening, as bed bugs migrate to different rooms.
To prevent them from spreading, a comprehensive treatment that includes both instant and long-term protection is crucial.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What keeps bed bugs away from your bed?
Use mattress encasements, bed bug traps, and Diatomaceous Earth as barriers. Clean and declutter the area around your bed to make it less inviting for bugs. - How do you avoid getting bed bugs?
Inspect second-hand furniture and be cautious when travelling by checking hotel and Airbnb beds and luggage racks. Wash and dry clothes on high heat after travel to kill any hitchhiking bed bugs. - What scent keeps bed bugs away?
Scents like lavender, tea tree oil, eucalyptus, and peppermint oil may help repel bed bugs temporarily but aren’t a guaranteed solution. - What is the main cause of bed bugs?
Bed bugs typically spread by hitching a ride on clothing, luggage, and second-hand furniture, especially in high-traffic areas like hotels or apartments.
Are You Looking for an Natural DIY Bed Bug Treatment?
How To Prevent Bed Bugs On An Ensemble Bed
How To Prevent Bed Bugs On A Bed Frame with Slats
Bed Bug Bites in Australia: How to Find, Treat and Prevent Bed Bugs Fast
Sources:
Department of Health WA , Oxford Academic (Perspectives on Biology and Management), National Library of Medicine (Clinical Relevance and Control Options)
Tony pioneered a non-toxic, eco-friendly solution for bedbug infestations. His innovation won the ABC TV show “The New Inventors” in 2009. In 2012, he successfully registered Diatomaceous Earth for bedbug control in Australia.
savya says
What’s the easiest way to prevent bed bugs from spreading through your home once they get in?
Tony Abrahams says
Isolate your bed. Move it 30cm from the wall, cover the mattress, add bed leg traps filled with Diatomaceous Earth, and steam or powder every access point. That way, bed bugs can’t reach you without crossing the killer powder—and they won’t survive it.
Ganesh says
Bed bugs infestation can only be cleared if the bed, pillows and sheets are clean. If the infestation is too much then better to go for pest control services.
Tony Abrahams says
That’s not quite right. Bed bugs don’t just live in sheets — they hide in bed frames, walls, and furniture cracks. Washing bedding helps, but it won’t eliminate an infestation. And pest control isn’t always effective — it’s expensive, requires multiple visits, and doesn’t guarantee eggs are killed. A better option? Use a proper DIY isolation method with steam, mattress covers, Diatomaceous Earth, and bed leg traps. It kills them all and prevents them from coming back — no chemicals needed.
Rahul says
The best and the only way to prevent the bed bugs is to keep the bed and cot clean. Also regular washing of the bedsheets and pillow covers will help.
Tony Abrahams says
Keeping things clean definitely helps with general hygiene, but unfortunately, it’s not enough to prevent or get rid of bed bugs. These little pests aren’t attracted to dirt—they’re after blood. You can have the cleanest home on the block and still end up with an infestation. Bed bugs hide in cracks, crevices, and even electrical outlets—way beyond just bedding. Regular washing won’t kill the ones hiding out elsewhere. You need a targeted treatment to fully eliminate and prevent them.
Tony Abrahams says
Totally feel your frustration—so many off-the-shelf sprays just don’t cut it when it comes to bed bugs. They might kill one or two on contact, but they do nothing for the eggs or the ones hiding deep in cracks. You’re 100% right: finding the right solution is key. That’s why targeted, long-term treatments like Bed Bug Barrier make such a difference. One proper application beats endless spraying that doesn’t work
Saireddy babu says
Can I use an electric blanket on top of bed bug covers?
Tony Abrahams says
Hi Saireddy. Yes, you can use an electric blanket under our bed bug covers. Regards Tony
siva venkata prasad says
How often do I need to reapply the powder?
Tony Abrahams says
Hi Siva. Thanks for reaching out! The great thing about our powder is that it’s designed for long-term protection, so you won’t need to reapply it. Generally, one thorough application around your bed and mattress can keep bed bugs at bay for years.
However, if you ever clean or vacuum the treated areas, you may want to reapply a light layer to ensure continued protection. Otherwise, you should be set to enjoy peace of mind without the hassle of constant reapplications! Let us know if you have any other questions—happy to help! Regards Tony