Traveling and bed bugs go hand and hand. In a survey by NPMA, 75% of pest control professionals indicated that they have encountered infestations of bed bugs in hotels and motels. Unfortunately, bed bugs remain the most difficult to treat, so taking additional measures for prevention is a lot easier than trying to eliminate an infestation.
Please be careful while traveling not to bring back any unwanted guests with you.
Tips for Traveling Without Bed Bugs
1. When you first enter a new hotel room, put your luggage in the bathroom—an unlikely place for bed bugs to hide—while you inspect the bedding and furniture.
2. Pull back the bed sheets and check the mattress and box-spring seams for bugs, especially at the head of the bed. Adults, nymphs, and eggs are visible to the naked eye. Also keep your eyes peeled for exoskeletons (casings that the bugs leave behind when they molt) and dark, rust-colored spots.
3. Lift the mattress and check underneath, too, using a flashlight if possible. If you see any telltale signs, tell the hotel and ask for a new room in another part of the building.
4. Stow your suitcases on a luggage rack or a hard surface after checking it to make sure it’s bed bug-free. Even better, pack large plastic trash bags and keep your luggage in them during your stay.
5. When you get home, kill any bed-bug hitchhikers by tumbling your travel clothes in a hot dryer for 30 minutes. (Simply washing the clothes usually won’t kill bed bugs.) And if possible, store your emptied luggage in the garage, the basement, or a hot attic. (Temperatures above 120° F kill bed bugs.)
If you suspect you have brought some home please give us a call.
