Bedbugs are becoming increasingly common in the Netherlands and can spread very quickly. Fortunately, with the right precautions, you can greatly reduce the chance of an infestation. On this page, RACO explains exactly which steps you can take to protect your home, hotel room, or luggage from bedbugs. All advice is based on practical experience from our specialists.
Prevention is always better than cure? RACO tells you more.
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Bed Bug Prevention Guide
How do I prevent bed bugs?
Bed bugs can quietly enter your home and spread quickly within a short time. These insects are small, persistent, and like to hide in seams, cracks, and textile surfaces, which means you often only notice them when the first signs appear. By following clear prevention steps, you significantly reduce the risk of an infestation. Understanding their behavior plays an important role here because it helps you identify situations that require extra attention, such as traveling, hosting guests, or bringing second-hand furniture into your home.
This comprehensive prevention guide from RACO helps you step by step to keep bed bugs out. You will receive practical advice that can be applied immediately at home, in hotels, and on the go. Gabriel and the team are always ready to assist when you have doubts or feel that you may have brought bed bugs with you. With our knowledge, experience, and modern tools, we ensure you quickly get clarity and know exactly which actions are necessary to keep your home safe and free of bed bugs.
Main causes
How bed bugs get inside
Bed bugs rarely enter because of dirt or poor hygiene. In most cases, these persistent insects are unintentionally brought inside through luggage, second-hand furniture, clothing, or visitors who have come into contact with bed bugs themselves. They are small, flat, and excellent at hiding, which is why you often do not notice them right away. That is why it is important to know that anyone can encounter them, regardless of how clean or tidy a home is.
By understanding how bedbugs enter, you can take targeted measures to protect your home. When you know which situations pose a higher risk, such as traveling, bringing in used furniture, or hosting guests, you can act preventively and avoid problems at an early stage. This knowledge not only helps prevent infestation but also allows you to intervene more quickly as soon as you notice or sense something suspicious. This way, you prevent a small issue from developing into a large and persistent infestation.
Safe travel
Prevent bedbugs during vacations and hotel stays
Traveling is by far the biggest cause of bringing bedbugs into homes. Hotels, apartments, and vacation rentals are frequently used by many guests, increasing the chance of transmission. Bedbugs easily hitch a ride in suitcases, clothing, and personal belongings without you noticing. With the right precautions, you can greatly reduce this risk and prevent unknowingly bringing a bedbug infestation home.
When you are traveling or entering accommodation, it is important to be alert for signs of bed bugs. These insects mainly hide in seams, cracks, furniture, and textiles. They become active at night and often bite without you feeling it. By carefully inspecting the room and smartly storing your belongings, you can prevent bed bugs from attaching to your clothing or luggage.
Thoroughly Inspect the Room
Bed bugs are small but leave clear signs. Always inspect:
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a luggage rack
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a hard floor
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a glass table or another smooth surface
Bedbugs can hardly climb here, greatly reducing the risk of infestation.
Always keep clothing sealed
Bedbugs like to hide in textiles. By sealing clothing, you reduce the chance that they crawl into your belongings. Use:
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zipper seal bags
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garment covers
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zipper seal packing cubes
Never store worn clothes loose in the room.
How one simple mistake during a vacation led to a bed bug infestation
Case study: How RACO completely solved this
Prevention is always the best strategy against bed bugs. This case study shows how one small oversight during a vacation can lead to a full infestation at home and how RACO solved this problem quickly and effectively. It also clearly shows which steps would have worked as prevention so that visitors immediately learn how to avoid such situations.
Customer's situation
A family from Haarlem returned from a week-long vacation in Spain. The parents and two children had stayed in an apartment that seemed clean and tidy at first glance. The customer noticed small itchy bumps on their daughter’s legs in the first days after returning home but initially thought they were mosquito bites.
After four days, the bumps got worse and they found small dark spots along the edge of the mattress. The family contacted RACO for an inspection.
What went wrong during the vacation
During the intake, Gabriel found that one important mistake was made which often occurs with travelers.
Main Misstep
The suitcases remained on the bed throughout the entire vacation because there was no luggage rack available. Bedbugs hide specifically in bed frames and mattresses and can easily crawl into luggage from there.
Three missed prevention steps
- The room was not inspected upon arrival
- The clothes were loose in the suitcase and not in sealed bags
- The luggage was not immediately washed at a high temperature after returning home
This combination caused a few bedbugs to unknowingly hitch a ride home.
Inspection carried out by RACO
Gabriel performed a full technical inspection in three rooms
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Parents’ bedroom
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Daughters’ bedroom
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Guest room where the suitcases were placed
Findings
- 27 visible bed bugs found
- 3 active egg clusters detected
- Infestation level assessed at level 2 out of 4
- Spread expected within 6 to 10 days if no action was taken
RACO's approach
RACO chose a combined treatment suitable for a beginning to moderate infestation.
Measures taken
- Heat treatment of the entire bedroom at 55 to 60 degrees
- Targeted chemical follow-up treatment in seams, baseboards, and cracks
- Cleaning plus professional vacuuming of all textile surfaces
- Tailored prevention advice for the family
Result
100 percent elimination of the bedbugs
No new reports during the inspections after 14 and 30 days
Complete stabilization of the home within 48 hours
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Our Service Area
These Are the Locations Where We Operate
If you are experiencing issues with bedbugs and cannot find your location in the list, do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to assist you and will see how we can help.
South Holland
Geen pagina’s gevonden in Zuid-Holland.
North Holland
Geen pagina’s gevonden in Noord-Holland.
Utrecht
Geen pagina’s gevonden in Utrecht.
North Brabant
Geen pagina’s gevonden in Noord-Brabant.
Contact us
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