Tips To Avoid Bringing Home Bed Bugs From Spring Break & Summer Vacation

When it's time for spring break or summer vacation, the last thing you want to bring home with you is bed bugs. Unfortunately, these annoying and stubborn pests can hitch a ride on your luggage and clothing during travel if you're not careful. Therefore, it's essential to take steps to prevent any unwelcome visitors from coming home with you. Here are some tips to help you keep bed bugs out of your suitcase this season.

Choose Your Destination Carefully

One key way to minimize the risk of bringing home bed bug infestations is to be mindful of where you stay. Before booking a hotel room, research and consider customer reviews and health inspection reports for potential accommodations. If possible, avoid low-budget motels altogether. Typically, the higher-end hotels have better cleaning standards and fewer reported issues with bed bug infestations — but you'll still need to be vigilant.

Inspect Your Room Once You Arrive

Once you arrive at your destination, take some time to inspect your room for potential signs of bed bugs before settling in for the night. The most common areas where these unwelcome visitors like to hide include mattresses and furniture upholstery, which is why quickly inspecting these items can help detect an infestation before it spreads to your clothes and luggage. Look out for blood spots that indicate a recent bite and small, dark dots that could be droppings left behind by bed bugs.

Remember to double-check all other pieces of furniture in your room during this process; bedbugs can easily hide in couches, chairs, carpets, and curtains once they've made their way into new hosts' homes.

Keep Your Luggage Stored Safely

Bedbugs love dark environments — like suitcases — where they can stealthily access food (human blood). Try not to set down suitcases directly on beds or carpets whenever possible. Instead, hang items off hooks provided in closets or place them securely on hardwood floors or ceramic tiles during hotel stays or other lodging options.

If You Find Bed Bugs In Your Hotel Room...

If you suspect or find bed bugs in your hotel room during a stay, alert management immediately and ask to be moved to another room. A room on the other side of the hotel would be best. Avoid bringing items back to your room after being moved, as these could also be infested with bed bugs!

When You Return Home…

No matter how careful you were during travel this season, it’s always best to take precautions upon returning home just in case any uninvited guests worked their way into your luggage without detection.

Ensure all clothing articles are laundered immediately after you arrive home using hot water temperatures that reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit minimum, if possible, followed by thorough drying cycles. Higher heat levels help diminish any eggs present along fabrics more than regular hand washing.

Store all luggage away from your bedroom in a storage closet, garage, or attic. This helps keep these items isolated until you can give them another thorough cleaning if needed.

Bed Bug Extermination

Bed bugs are resistant to multiple pesticides and are nearly impossible to get rid of without professional training and equipment. If you notice any signs of bed bug infestations in your home after returning from vacation, contact a licensed pest management professional immediately. They can help identify and treat the issue promptly to avoid the spread of these annoying pests.

Don’t tackle a bed bug problem on your own! Contact Spidexx Pest Control today at (855) 925-3550.

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