AVOID BRINGING BED BUGS HOME FROM VACATION

Avoid Bringing Bed Bugs Home from Vacation

6/21/2021

When traveling this summer, the only thing you want to bring home from vacation is a tan and maybe some souvenirs. However, there is something else to be aware of while vacationing. Bed bug infestations can happen at any time during the year, but they’re most popular during peak travel times - like summer. Pestech of Greenville specializes in extermination of bed bugs if you happen to bring them home with you. While we’re ready to help, we want you to be aware of important prevention methods so you don’t have to worry about calling us.

Bed bugs don’t pose a public-health risk like some other pests; however, they can cause an infestation, irritating bites, and possible allergic reactions. Bed bugs need to drink blood to live, and their bites can cause itchiness, a rash, and even a severe allergic reaction depending on how your body reacts. That’s why it’s important to know how to avoid bed bugs on vacation and prevent bringing them home with you. Don’t let the potential for bed bugs ruin your summer. Taking the time to do your homework on locations, inspect your accommodations, and thoroughly care for your clothes can save a lot of potential problems and provide you with the most relaxing vacation possible.

Awareness When Booking

When booking a place to stay, whether it be an Airbnb, a hotel, or a rental home, read the reviews. If a person came home with bed bugs after staying somewhere, they most likely wrote about it. Check websites like Trip Advisor, Google Reviews, Hotels.com, and others referral and review sources. Even though you can’t guarantee a hotel won’t have bed bugs, we recommend that you eliminate the rentals from your options if they’ve had them in the past. If someone reported bed bugs, it’s entirely possible that the issue was handled. See if the establishment responded, how it was handled, and the number of reports made. When picking a place to stay, also talk to family and friends to see if they can recommend a location or rental.

Arriving to Your Location

When you first arrive at your room, put your luggage on a luggage rack or in the bathroom. A rack with steel legs is your best bet as steel is too slick for bed bugs to climb. Keep your suitcase zipped up when not using it. When it comes to packing before a trip, choose a hard-shell suitcase. They have fewer folds and seams where bed bugs can hide.

After storing your luggage somewhere safe, we recommend doing a quick inspection of your room. Bed bugs like to lodge themselves in cracks, crevices, and ruffles in areas frequently trafficked by humans.

scan any beds, couches, or armchairs
inspect your bed’s headboard and mattress
take the sheets off your bed and inspect the underside of the box spring
check all pillowcases, sheets, and comforters
check under and around nightstands and lamps

Identifying Bed Bugs

It’s important to know what to look for during your search. Adult bed bugs are quite small, usually only 4 to 5 millimeters long. They’re generally oval-shaped and range in color from red to orange to brown. Adults, eggs, and exoskeletons are visible to the naked eye. When inspecting your room, look for:

tiny black spots
blood spots on linens
translucent light brown skin castings
live bed bugs

If you find any of the above in your room, speak to management. If you’re in a hotel, request a new room several rooms away or find a new location entirely. If possible, document any findings.

When Traveling Home

When your vacation comes to an end and it’s time to head home, there are a few things you can do to prevent bringing home any unwanted pests.

When packing up, inspect items closely before putting them back in your suitcase. If a washer and dryer are readily available to you, throw your clothes in for a cycle. Then, place them in air-tight bags in your suitcase.

When you arrive home, inspect your items a final time while pulling them out. Unpack clothing, paying special attention to seams, pockets, and linings. Then, put all of your clothes in the washer, even if you didn’t wear them. Washing and drying on high heat will kill any undetected bugs. Leave anything that can’t be washed, like shoes, outside or in your garage for at least a day. Avoid putting any shoes, clothes, or luggage on your bed before washing.