Bed Bug Safety Tips When Going Off to Summer Camp

Before heading off to camp:

• Check the surrounding area of the camp for bed bug reports.
   
• Call the camp and ask if they encase their mattresses (or take other precautions) against bed bugs.
   

Bed Bug packing list:

• Send your kids off with pictures of bed bugs and bed bug bites so they’ll know what to look for.
   
• Use trunks or at least sturdy luggage rather than soft luggage, making it more difficult for bed bugs to climb.
   
• Use a bed bug luggage liner to keep the contents safe while traveling, and it’s also useful as a drawer liner.
   
• Use a bed bug laundry bag for both clean and dirty clothes.
   
• Pack 1% Hydrocortisone cream just in case you get any insect bites.
   
• Pack rubbing alcohol to be able to kill any spotted bed bug eggs or bed bugs
   
• Bring anti-bed bug pillow encasements.
   
• Pack a flashlight for a bed bug search (and may come in handy for that camp out as well).
   

Welcome to camp! What now?

• Pick the bed farthest away from any wood structures or headboards – where bed bugs are likely to hide.
   
• Take out those bed bug pictures and flashlight and check around the bed and mattress seams for possible indications of a bed bug infestation.
   
• If bed bugs are found, notify your counselor as soon as possible – to prevent them from spreading.
   
• Keep your bunk as tidy as possible – the more clutter, the more room for bed bugs to camp out with you!
   
• Don’t share your s’mores with bed bugs, or they’ll never leave!
   

More bedbug tips for protecting your family:

When having a sleepover

When going off to college

In the workplace

When renting a Halloween costume

When residing in a dormitory

When using a daycare center

When staying in a hospital

When visiting family and friends

When seeing out patients at their home

When residing in a Senior Resident Housing