This Veteran’s Day, we honor the brave men and women who have stood the watch, defended our nation, and protected our freedom. It’s a day to remember their service, their sacrifices, and the vigilant eye they keep on the perimeter.

But what happens when the enemy isn’t on the battlefield but in your bedroom?

All Hands on Deck: Enemy Bed Bug Threat Sighted

Even the most hardened veterans know that an unexpected enemy can breach the lines. You might have heard the incredible story of the USS Connecticut SSN22, a powerful submarine that faced an entirely different kind of threat: bed bugs.

If these pests can infiltrate a nuclear-powered US Navy submarine, they can certainly breach your dorm or base barracks. That’s why we’re launching a new mission: to give you the tactical knowledge to keep your home front secure.

In the War on Bed Bugs, This is Your Battle Plan

Every successful mission starts with a solid plan. Bed bugs are tiny, stealthy infiltrators, but with the right strategy, you can win this war.

Follow these key directives to lock down your defenses.

Directive 1: Pre-Deployment Inspection

The first step is a thorough reconnaissance. When you’re traveling or bringing new items into your unit in base housing, perform a detailed inspection of the building, including baseboards and wall plates in your bedroom, dorm, or barracks room.

Next check mattresses, bedding, luggage, and furniture. Look for signs of the enemy: small, reddish-brown stains (blood) or tiny, dark spots (fecal matter). This early detection is your first line of defense.

Directive 2: Secure the Perimeter, Soldier

Just like securing a base, you need to make sure your sleeping area is a no-go zone for bed bugs. Inspect and encase your mattress and box spring in a certified, bite-proof cover. This traps any existing bed bug convoys inside and prevents new ones from taking up residency.

Make sure to vacuum regularly, especially around the baseboards and corners of your hall—these are prime hiding spots for the enemy.

For long-term protection, some may reach for diatomaceous earth, a historically effective tool in the battle against crawling insect pests. However, this relatively safe and natural powder solution can become airborne faster than the 82nd, and cause breathing issues if applied haphazardly or in large amounts.

Keep safety top of mind when navigating the overall bedbug battlefield. While itchy bedbug bites scream FUBAR, you don’t want to accidentally target your own troops with friendly-fire or cause environmental pollution, like the water contamination at USMC Camp LeJeune.

Directive 3: Decontamination Protocol

When you return from a trip, consider everything you’ve brought back as potentially contaminated until proven otherwise. Wash all your clothes and travel bags in hot water and dry them on high heat.

If you have non-washable items, a hot-air treatment in a dryer can neutralize any lurking threats. This decontamination process is crucial to preventing an outbreak.

The Official Protocol: Reporting a Breach to the Chain of Command

In the Marine Corps and across all branches, there is a specific protocol for dealing with bedbugs in the barracks. You can’t just sweep this under the rug; you have to report it to ensure the entire deck doesn’t get infested.

1. Notify the Barracks Manager (BEQ/BOQ) immediately

Don’t wait. Bed bugs are a maintenance emergency. Contact your Barracks Manager or Duty NCO to initiate a formal work order. Most bases have a specific contract with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to handle the heavy lifting.

2. Prepare for Inspection

Once you’ve “called it in,” you need to have your AO ready for the inspectors.

• Do Not move furniture or gear to another room (you’ll just spread the enemy).
• Do Not throw away your mattress unless instructed—encasement is usually the first line of defense.
• Do clear floor space so the “Pest Control Recon” team can see the baseboards.

3. Supplement with Tactical Support

While you wait for base housing to send the “professionals,” you can begin your own Containment Protocol. Use Defensive End! BLITZ to create a “no-man’s land” around your immediate sleeping area and gear lockers. This prevents the infestation from migrating into your sea bag before your next deployment.

Tactical Intelligence: According to MCO 11000.22, maintaining a “clean, safe, and healthy environment” is a shared responsibility. If you fail to report a breach, you’re not just dealing with bugs—you’re potentially looking at a “Page 11” entry for failing to maintain barracks standards. Don’t let a tiny insect jeopardize your career.

The Key to Victory Against Bravo-Bravos

Boot camp, A-schools, NCO housing, and even officer staterooms can become the target of bed bugs. In fact, bed bugs may be the only enemies you’ll face who don’t see rank. You’re just as tasty and formidable whether you’re a lance corporal or 4-star General.

And, considering the highly transient nature of military bases and soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen coming and going every three years, it’s likely the next blanket party could come from unwelcome biting bugs, not other platoon members mad at that one guy for failing to pass the PT test.

Mission Complete: Calling in Close Air Support

With your battle plan in place, you’re ready to stand the watch. But sometimes, even the best-laid plans need a little extra firepower. When you’ve identified a threat and need to neutralize it, it’s time to call in the air support.

Fire and Forget

Defensive End! BLITZ is your most powerful weapon in this fight. This bed bug contact and residual killer spray is specifically engineered to provide you with the tactical advantage you need.

It’s a rapid-response solution designed to eliminate bed bugs and give you the peace of mind that your home barracks are safe and secure. It’s nontoxic and contains no harmful pyrethrins, so it’s safe for pets, kids, and new recruits alike.

This Veteran’s Day, we thank our veterans for their service. And we salute you for taking on the vital mission of protecting your home front. Stay vigilant, stay prepared, and let’s keep those barracks and bunks clear!