Traveling and Bed Bugs: What You Should Know
The holidays are a busy travel season. Anyone who is traveling and using hotels, however, should be aware of bed bugs. These small parasitic creatures are widespread in hotels, and everyone should check their rooms before staying the night in any accommodation.
How Can I Tell If There Are Bed Bugs?
The first thing that you should do is check the sheets of the bed, especially in the corners where the sheets are folded. These bugs are very small, and you may not see them, but they leave a trail of black spots wherever they go. If you see black specs or small drops of blood, there is a high possibility that the room is infested.
How Do I Prevent An Infestation?
When you stay in a hotel, even if you do not see any signs of these bugs, there are a few things you can do to help prevent an infestation.
- Use the suitcase rack in your room.
- Avoid setting your suitcase on the bed
- Avoid placing your clothes in the drawers. Only hang clothes up.
- Cover your suitcase with a trash bag when not using it so that nothing can attach itself for a free ride home.
- Don’t place your shoes or anything else under the bed.
When you arrive home, take your suitcase straight into the laundry room. Dump your clothes into the wash. Washing them will not kill the bugs; you must dry them on high heat to kill them. It is best if you run your dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Then, store your suitcase in a sealed plastic bag and leave it in your garage.
If you find that you still end up with an infestation in your home after traveling, it will be necessary to contact a pest control company, like Antworks.
Bed bugs are very resilient insects. They can hibernate for up to a year without food and then start reproducing as soon as they come out of hibernation. They are resistant to many types of pesticides, and you will need professional pest control to eliminate them from your home.
