- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
- Posted by: Elaine Lander

Bed bugs can hitch rides on secondhand furniture, luggage, backpacks and other personal items to invade homes and attack people. While we rest and sleep on sofas and beds, the insects come out to feed. They want to suck our blood. A new web-based, interactive training course shows how to prevent and detect bed bug infestations.
“The training helps tenants recognize, restrict and report bed bugs and helps landlords comply with California state regulations on bed bugs,” said Andrew Sutherland, University of California Cooperative Extension integrated pest management advisor for the Bay...

Holidays are a time for welcoming family and friends. But what if your loved ones accidentally bring along unwanted guests—bed bugs? These insects are excellent hitchhikers, hiding easily in luggage and sometimes on clothes. Bed bugs can be found in the finest hotels and accommodations such as dormitories, senior living facilities, and nursing homes, both in the United States and overseas.
Whether you are hosting a dinner party or overnight guests, below are a few tips to prepare your home for welcoming visitors and deter unwanted ones.
Make It Easy to Monitor for Bed Bugs
- Clean your space and reduce clutter to minimize hiding places and make it easier to inspect for bed...

Tis the season for holiday travel. As you make reservations for rental accommodations to visit family and friends, we wanted to share a few suggestions to help you avoid bringing bed bugs home with you. Regardless of what type of lodging you choose-- hotel, motel, cabin, or other type of rental-- no place is immune to bed bug introductions or infestations.
We don't wish to alarm you, but we do want to point out that bed bug infestations are on the rise in the United States. Take precautions to save yourself from later issues and costs in case bed bugs do find their way into your home.
When settling into your room
- Before plopping your luggage down on the bed, couch, or floor, we...
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
As I sit in my hotel room tonight and work from atop my bed, I thought it would be useful to share the practice I always use each and every time I stay in a hotel: checking for bed bugs.
Bed bugs can occur in any hotel whether it's a 5-star or 1-star hotel. No matter where I stay, I always check for bed bugs before putting down my bags or even sitting down.
It doesn't take long and you will be glad you did it. Please watch this short video and keep yourself safe from bringing home these very troublesome pests.
For more information about bed bugs, how they feed, and how to manage them, see the UC IPM Pest Notes: Bed...

Reading the words “bed bug” in a sentence is enough to make most people's skin crawl! Bed bugs aren't a pleasant topic to discuss, but if you plan on staying at a hotel, hostel, or motel this summer, learning about bed bugs is a “must!”
June 4-10 was Bed Bug Awareness Week, but it was also California Invasive Species Action Week, so here at UC IPM, we were busy posting every day about invasive pests. Bed bugs aren't considered an invasive pest, although bed...