Move Without Bringing Cockroaches or Bed Bugs

What should you inspect before packing?

Start with rooms and objects where pest evidence was previously found. Examine box seams, luggage pockets, bed frames, upholstered edges, drawers and accessible appliance voids. Record live insects, shed skins, egg cases, spotting or droppings. Do not move a suspect item into the clean packing area until its status is reviewed.

1. 1

   Create separate clean, unchecked and suspect zones.

2. 2

   Use new or inspected containers instead of damaged stored cardboard where practical.

3. 3

   Inspect furniture joints, fabric seams and removable drawers with a flashlight.

4. 4

   Follow fabric care labels for suitable laundering or heat; do not improvise unsafe heat treatment.

5. 5

   Photograph uncertain evidence before cleaning or disposal.

How should belongings be handled on moving day?

Keep inspected items closed during transport and avoid mixing them with unchecked bags or second-hand furniture. Label containers by room rather than by pesticide status, and retain a private inspection list. Protect workers from undisclosed hazards and do not apply chemicals inside a vehicle or sealed load unless a qualified service has approved the method.

• Load clean and suspect items separately where practical.
• Avoid loose textiles and open bags in shared corridors.
• Do not collect discarded furniture without a careful inspection.
• Tell the service provider about confirmed activity before moving treated belongings.

What should you check before and after unpacking?

Before belongings arrive, inspect sleeping areas, kitchen cabinets, pipe penetrations, skirting edges and existing furniture. Unpack gradually, remove empty cardboard, and monitor high-risk areas for several weeks. A mark or insect should be documented before assuming it came from the old or new property.

What if you find a suspected pest during the move?

Stop moving the affected item between rooms, photograph the specimen and surrounding area, and keep the item contained when this is safe. Identification determines the next step. Throwing away all furniture is not automatically necessary, while moving untreated suspect items may spread the problem.

• Do not crush the only useful specimen before photographing it.
• Do not use bug bombs, mixed products or unlabelled powders.
• Ask whether the item can be inspected or treated before disposal.
• Tell the new property contact when evidence may pre-date your arrival.

This guide reduces transport risk; it does not certify an apartment or belonging as pest-free.