Prevent Bed Bugs While Traveling

Since the pandemic ended, traveling has become increasingly common again, whether it’s for summer vacations or holiday trips. It is important to know how to prevent bed bugs while traveling to not bring home an infestation that could have been avoided.

About Bed Bugs

Understanding the appearance and signs of bed bugs is key to preventing infestations. Bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed with flat, oval-shaped, and reddish-brown bodies. They are nocturnal and feed at night, typically where a host sleeps —such as beds, mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and upholstered furniture. During the day, they hide in these spaces to remain undisturbed and reproduce. Females can lay hundreds of eggs in their lifetime. Females can lay hundreds of eggs in their lifetime, with eggs hatching in 1-2 weeks depending on environmental conditions.

Recognizing their behaviors and appearance is essential, as well as learning the signs of their presence:

• Bites: Inspect your body for small, red bites, often in clusters or lines. These can become inflamed or irritated and usually appear a day or two after being bitten.
• Blood stains and dark spots: While sleeping, squished bed bugs can leave blood stains on sheets or pillowcases, especially after feeding. They also leave dark fecal spots on mattresses, bedding, or furniture.
• Odor and shed skins: As bed bugs grow, they shed their skins, leaving behind translucent, empty exoskeletons. Severe infestations may produce a musty odor from bed bug scent glands.

Tips to Prevent Bed Bugs While Traveling

To enjoy your travels without the worry of bed bugs, follow these tips:

• Inspect your accommodation: Upon arrival, check furniture and bedding for dark spots, shed skin, or live bed bugs. Use a flashlight to inspect dark areas like behind the headboard, along mattress seams, and in furniture.
• Use luggage racks: Avoid placing your luggage on the floor or furniture. Use luggage racks or place bags on hardwood surfaces to reduce the risk of bed bugs.
• Seal your belongings: Protect your items by keeping them in resealable plastic bags or containers to prevent bed bugs from getting in.
• Wash and dry your clothes: After returning home, or even before leaving your accommodation, wash and dry your clothes on high heat. Bed bugs and their eggs are sensitive to high temperatures and will die off in these conditions.

Actions to Take

What many don’t realize is how common bed bugs are, as they are easily transferred from place to place. If you do happen to experience them, here are steps to take to easily deal with them. 

• Consult with a pest control company - Bed bugs are difficult to eliminate on your own. Consult a licensed and trained pest professional. At Spidexx, we provide a thorough checklist alongside our treatment to ensure your home becomes bed bug-free.
• Clean, clean, clean - Vacuuming, washing and drying clothes, removing belongings, and using protective covers on mattresses and belongings are crucial to preventing bed bugs from thriving.
• Monitor and follow up - Even after the treatment, it’s still important to monitor the areas for any signs of bedbugs and continue any recommended post-treatment tasks. This will prevent you from having an infestation and keep your home safe.
• Dry your clothing on high heat - After vacation, don't bring luggage indoors immediately. Start by washing and drying all clothing on high heat for at least 45 minutes. Inspect the rest of your belongings and suitcase. For extra precaution, place your suitcase in a heavy-duty garbage bag and store it in the garage for several weeks.

By practicing these tips while traveling and staying vigilant about bed bug signs, you can make a significant difference. If you have any questions about our bed bug treatment or want to schedule an inspection, please call our office at (844) 922-7732.