Moving day is a major bed bug risk point. Used boxes, shared moving trucks, and unfamiliar buildings all create chances for bed bugs to find their way into your new home.
Before you move in
Inspect the new place thoroughly before bringing anything in — even if it was professionally cleaned. Pay close attention to bedrooms, closet shelves, window frames, baseboards, and any built-in furniture. Ask the landlord or seller directly about prior pest treatments and request documentation.
Watch your boxes
Free boxes from liquor stores, grocery stores, and online listings are a common vector. If you reuse boxes, inspect them carefully and don't store them near sleeping areas. New boxes are cheap insurance.
Used and rented furniture
Never bring secondhand furniture into a new home without a thorough inspection under bright light. The same goes for mattresses delivered by anyone other than a sealed-from-factory shipper.
Movers and shared trucks
Most moving companies don't decontaminate trucks between jobs. If your stuff shares cargo space with someone else's, ask what the company does between loads. For high-risk moves, ask for a dedicated truck.
Pack to inspect
Use clear, sealed plastic bins for bedding, clothing, and books. If something turns out to be infested, sealed plastic prevents spread and makes treatment straightforward.
On move-in day
Encase the mattress and box spring before setting them up in the new place. Vacuum every box as you unpack it and empty the canister immediately into a sealed bag outside.
If you spot bed bugs after the move
Don't wait. Sleep Tight Pest Control offers free Chicago-area inspections, and catching it during the first week usually means one treatment, not a series.
Ready for a free inspection?
Sleep Tight Pest Control offers same-day inspections and a written guarantee across Chicago and the suburbs.