In recent years, bed bugs have been making headlines as more hotels and public spaces are dealing with infestations. This can make things difficult for travelers who want to avoid bringing these pests back into their home. Hopefully, any hotel you might stay at is doing their pest to detect and prevent bed bugs, but you can never be too careful. Here are a few tips that will help you prevent bed bugs from entering your home.
Bring Protection
Wrapping your possessions in plastic is an effective way to keep bed bugs out. Bring along a large plastic trash bag that can store your suitcase. In addition, smaller storage bags are great for packing your clothes. This is especially important if you plan on removing them from the suitcase and storing them in the dresser during your stay.
Inspect Your Accommodations
While bed bugs tend to come out at night, they are still relatively easy to detect if you know where to look and what to look for:
- Bed bugs like to hide fold, seams and crevices along the mattress. Pull back all the bedding so that you can inspect these areas. Use a flashlight to look for blackish-red spots that are signs of excrement and translucent shells, which are the nymphs or baby bed bugs. Even if you don’t actually see any adult bugs, these are all signs of an infestation.
- Pillows are another great hiding place, so take the time to remove the pillowcases and check all the seams.
- Take the time to inspect any upholstered chairs, the headboard, nightstand and any dressers and bureaus.
- Don’t forget about the luggage rack. The prior occupant may have inadvertently brought in bed bugs on their own luggage.
If you find any signs of bed bugs in your hotel room, contact the hotel management and make arrangements to be moved to another location.
Take Precautions During Your Stay
Just because you didn’t find any bed bugs during your inspection, doesn’t mean that you want to let your guard down. Avoid leaving clothes out on the bed or upholstered furniture. Store your suitcase on top of the luggage rack and make sure that the rack it places far away from the bed. Before you start repacking to head home, take a few extra minutes to inspect your items.
What To Do When You Get Home
Bed bug infestations are typically treated with heat. These pests can’t survive at temperatures over 120 degrees. That means that you can kill bed bugs, at any stage of their lifecycle, by putting your clothes in the dryer at high heat for 30 minutes. Even if you did manage to bring a bed bug home after your trip, this final precaution can prevent your entire home from becoming infested.
For more information about how to prevent bed bugs from entering your home and how to deal with an infestation. Contact the experts at PMi Pest Management. We can help you reclaim your home and work with you to prevent further problems.
