Bedbugs are a menace to travelers all over the world. Bedbugs are tiny brown circular-shaped insects that mostly live in areas where people sleep, such as in mattresses and headboards. While their bites are not considered dangerous to humans, they are a pest that you would not want to bring back home from vacation. They are very difficult and expensive to exterminate.
When you are traveling, it is relatively easy to prevent bedbug infestation if you take the proper precautions. Bedbugs usually come in contact with your belongings either on the plane or train in their cargo holds or most likely inside the hotel rooms. These easy tips can help minimize the risk of bringing bedbugs back into your own home.
Buy Hard-Sided Luggage
It is much easier for a bedbug to penetrate soft-sided luggage or duffle bags than hard-sided luggage. As you suitcases wear out, consider purchasing the newer style of hard-sized luggage. It is typically more expensive, but is the first line of defense for protecting your belongings from an infestation.
Bring a Flashlight
Bring a mini LED flashlight in your carry-on luggage so that you can inspect your room immediately upon arrival. Don’t be afraid to pull off the sheets and mattress pad and flip the mattress to make sure that there isn’t anything hiding underneath, especially under the box spring. Use the flashlight to check behind headboards and behind anything hanging on the walls near the bed. Pull the cushions off of the chairs and check underneath. Make sure that you check the entire room before bringing your luggage into the room.
Do Your Homework
Know the warning signs of a bedbug infestation. Make sure that you can identify bedbugs. Bedbugs can be very small and hard to see, but if you see flecks of blood on the mattresses or on the walls, this is a sure sign of bedbug activity. Also, bedbugs tend to cluster in dark places, so be sure to check the dimmest places in the room thoroughly, such as underneath the bed or in dark corners near the baseboards.
Protect Your Luggage
Never place your luggage on the floor, under the bed or on the bed itself while at the hotel. Keep your luggage fully zipped and store it on a hard surface, such as a table or desk. If there is a luggage rack available, use it to keep your luggage off of the floor.
Put Everything in Large Zipper Bags
Pack all of your items in large zipper bags before placing them in your luggage. This will protect your items from being infested if bedbugs happen to get into your suitcase. You will not have to worry about them hiding in every nook and cranny of your clothing and other items because they will not be able to get into the sealed bags.
Unpack Your Luggage Immediately Upon Arriving Home
As soon as you arrive home, unpack your luggage on a hard surface, such as the kitchen table, that is away from carpeted floors. Do not place your luggage on your bed to unpack, as this is a very easy way for bugs to transfer to your bedding and mattresses. Wash and dry all of your clothing immediately, whether it is clean or not. The high heat of the dryer will kill any eggs or live bedbugs. Consider storing your luggage in large garbage bags and sealing them with duct tape to prevent any bugs from escaping. Store your luggage in a garage or cellar, where they will not have access to the rest of your home.
Bedbugs can be a scary part of vacationing, but they do not have to ruin your vacation. If you find bedbugs at your hotel, tell the hotel manager immediately. Often, larger chains have access to a heating machine that can kill any bedbugs that have sneaked into your belongings. You will not have to throw away your belongings, nor will you have to worry about bringing the bedbugs home with you.
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