If you recently traveled, you may need to know how to kill bed bugs in luggage. Bed bugs are an increasingly common problem in hotels, Airbnb, VRBO, and other short-term rentals.
While it’s impossible to prevent them altogether, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of bringing home unwanted visitors. Here are five ideas for how to kill bedbugs in luggage:
Can Bed Bugs Get Into Hard Shell Luggage?
Bed bugs can get into hard-shell luggage if you incorrectly seal the zipper. Also, luggage companies do not make zippers that are certified to prevent bed bugs like many mattress covers.
Heat Treatment
Heat is one of the most effective ways to kill bed bugs in your luggage. Our protocol is to heat treat our luggage in a Thermal Strike or Zapp Bug whenever we travel.
- [Lethal Heating System] ThermalStrike uses a patented six-sided heating system that surrounds and destroys bed bugs, carpet beetles, moths, and other insects – including eggs, larvae, and adults. Heat in excess of 120 degrees penetrates deep into cracks and small openings.
- [Commercial Grade Construction] A fully sealed inner liner constructed of hospital grade heating pad material traps the bugs inside the unit. Additional layers of insulation keeps the heat inside the Ranger to minimize electrical power draw while seven thermostats continually monitor and control the heating system.
- [Easy to Load and Operate] Place luggage directly into the unit or load the Ranger like a laundry hamper. Heat comes from all sides and eliminates cold spots, so there is no moving air, motors, or moving parts which can break down. Items being treated can touch the interior walls.
- [Everything You Need] Includes a built-in timer (two, four, and eight hour cycles) which turns the unit off and a thermometer which clips onto the front of the unit and shows the current and maximum temperature reached during a heat treatment.
It’s important to note that since not everyone reacts to bed bug bites, you may unknowingly encounter bed bugs at a hotel. For this reason, you may never even know that your luggage is transporting them.
Heat treatment kills bed bugs fast and is one of the few methods to eliminate them. Check out more details here: “What kills bed bugs instantly?” It’s easy; place your luggage into the self-contained portable heater and turn it on.
If you are only going to use one method on this list, we suggest you buy a Thermal Strike or Zapp Bug and treat your luggage. Owning one of these small portable machines is a lifesaver for future traveling. Now anytime you travel, you can have peace of mind that as soon as you get home, you can heat treat your luggage.
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Vacuuming
A vacuum cleaner with an small upholstery attachment can help remove bed bugs from your luggage. When you arrive home, place your luggage in the bathtub and vacuum inside and out. Be sure to pay particular attention to areas where the insects may hide, like pockets and seams.
Make sure to empty the contents of the vacuum bag after each use to prevent any eggs or bugs from hatching later on. Since vacuuming is not 100%, placing your luggage into a large garbage bag and keeping it isolated until you use it again is wise.
Washing & Drying
The washing and drying method will only work if your travel bag is a cloth duffel or backpack. Since bed bugs travel on clothes, putting all clothing and other items within the luggage in a high-heat dryer for at least 45 minutes is essential.
Bed bugs die in the dryer, and you can learn more here: “Does washing clothes kill bed bugs?”.
Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning is another effective way to kill bed bugs in luggage and on your clothing. Since bed bugs can stay on your clothes until you put them through heat, a steamer can help.
You’ll need to place the luggage into the bathtub, vacuum it first, then use a steamer. Slowly move the steamer across all surfaces while hitting all the seams and areas where bugs lurk.
We use the best bed bug steamer out there: the Dupray NEAT Steamer! While steaming is not as effective as a portable bed bug oven, it will at least allow you to look closely at the luggage. After you steam, it’s wise to place your luggage into a large garbage bag and keep it isolated until you have to use it again.
- Versatile -Piece Kit: Includes specialized tools for cleaning floors, kitchens, bathrooms, vehicles, upholstery, and more, adapting to all your cleaning needs.
- Powerful Steam Cleaning: Generates superheated steam to break down stubborn dirt, grease, and grime effortlessly, delivering a deep, chemical-free clean on a variety of surfaces.
- Eco-Friendly Cleaning: Effectively removes dirt, grease, and grime using only the power of steam — no harsh chemicals— safe for your home, pets, and the environment.
- Compact & Portable Design: Lightweight, easy to maneuver, and sleek—perfect for effortless cleaning in tight spaces, corners, and hard-to-reach areas.
- Large Tank Capacity: Delivers up to 50 minutes of continuous steam per fill, enabling extended deep cleaning sessions without the hassle of frequent refills.
Hire A Heat or Fumigation Service
In most cities, you can hire a company to heat your luggage in a container or use vikane gas fumigation. Just google both options and see what comes up in your area. These companies will usually come to you and treat your luggage in a van, shipping container, or small portable self-controlled heater.
Freezer
Freezers are another way to eliminate bed bugs in your luggage if all else fails. However, only some have a large enough freezer to fit their luggage. Furthermore, you must keep it in the freezer for many days to ensure complete death.
Check out the University of Minnesota’s guidelines on using a freezer to kill bed bugs.
Is There A Bed Bug Spray For Luggage?
If there is a bed bug spray for luggage, we won’t trust it. Plus, you would want to avoid placing your clothing into luggage recently sprayed with insecticide. Your best bet is to use a bed bug oven like the one described above.
Can You Suffocate Bed Bugs in Plastic Bags?
Bed bug suffocation is not a viable method for bed bug control. Since bed bugs can live for months without food and stay still to conserve energy, I would not trust this control method. Any items you place into plastic bags should ultimately be put through a high-heat dryer or portable bed bug oven.
Is Putting Luggage in a Bathtub a Good Method for Preventing Them?
While putting luggage into a bathtub may be safer than placing it on the bed, it’s not 100%. If there are bed bugs in the hotel room, then there is always a chance a bed bug in the bathroom can turn up.
What is A Bed Bug Suitcase Cover?
A bed bug suitcase cover is a bag you can put over your luggage to protect it from bed bugs. Bed bugs can not penetrate through the material, and this material will keep them away from your belongings while traveling. Furthermore, they help isolate your luggage after traveling. Check out this bed bug suitcase cover here.
Final Thoughts for How To Kill Bed Bugs in Luggage
There are many ways to kill and remove bed bugs in luggage; however, using a self-contained heater is your best bet. The reason is that it’s the easiest and most effective way. Moreover, the best part is that you’ll now have the machine for future travels. If you make heating your luggage and clothing a protocol every time you return from a trip, you’ll significantly reduce the chances of bringing them home.
We hope you found this article “how to kill bed bugs in luggage” helpful, and if you have any other questions about bed bug prevention and management, please feel free to reach out!