With the holidays nearing, many people travel. Whether you are gathering with friends and family or utilizing your days off from work or school, the airports always seem to be buzzing with people during the holiday season.
Traveling is one of the most common ways to catch a bed bug. Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers and can easily transfer from one location to the next through luggage, clothing, or other personal items. Travel brings an increase in bed bugs because of the many new environments and people you encounter along the way. Here are some things you can do to protect yourself from these small bugs this holiday.
Inspect Your Environment
When you arrive at your hotel, Airbnb, or even a friend’s or family’s home, thoroughly inspect your room for any signs of bed bugs. Look for small reddish-brown bodies or for any fecal stains on the bed sheets and mattress. Bed bugs often hide on the seams of the mattress or nearby furniture like bedside tables or dressers. If you find a bed bug in your sleeping area, immediately report it and avoid staying in that room. This will help prevent the bugs from spreading throughout the rest of the home.
Keep Luggage Off the Floor
Avoid leaving your luggage on the floor or on the bed. Because bed bugs are incredible hitchhikers, it is easy for them to latch onto luggage and follow you wherever you go. Instead, use luggage racks, a chair, or even a table to countertop to keep your luggage elevated.
Seal Your Belongings
If you are worried about bed bugs or are going to an area where there has been a recent bed bug outbreak, use plastic bags or containers to store your clothes. This can help prevent bed bugs from infesting your belongings as they have limited access to what they can cling onto.
Wash Your Clothes
Upon arriving home from your trip, immediately wash and dry your packed clothes on high heat. Heat is an effective way to prevent a bed bug infestation as the temperatures kill any eggs. Before putting your luggage away, properly inspect the inside and outside for any signs of bugs. Once your luggage and other personal items have been looked through, you can put them back where they belong with the assurance that they are pest-free.
Educate Yourself
The best way to avoid bed bugs from entering your home or to avoid them while traveling is to stay educated. Be aware of the areas you sleep and learn about common bed bug behaviors. Early detection is key when dealing with bed bugs.
By taking these preventative measures, you can help prevent the chance of bringing bed bugs into your home. If you do come across these bugs over the holidays, call your local Insight Pest Solutions. The best way to deal with a bed bug infestation is to do so professionally. This can help prevent further outbreaks and will help you manage these pests in the most effective way.
