How to Prevent the Spread of Bed Bugs When Visiting Hotels and Other Homes
When traveling, it's essential to be aware of the risk of bed bugs.
When traveling, it's essential to be aware of the risk of bed bugs. These tiny insects can hitch a ride in a suitcase and end up in one's hotel room, where they can potentially infest the entire property. Bed bugs are not known to carry diseases, but they can be highly uncomfortable and challenging to remove once they've taken residence.
Here are some tips to help avoid bringing bed bugs home from travels:
Inspect the room
Before settling into a hotel room, take a moment to inspect the room for any signs of bed bugs. They often reside near the bed's headboard, in cracks and crevices in furniture, and in the seams of mattresses and box springs. While inspecting, look for minor, reddish-brown fecal stains on sheets, mattresses, and actual bed bugs.
Keep luggage away from beds and bedroom floors
Keep the suitcase in the bathroom or hallway before unpacking. Taking out belongings further away from the potential nest will help prevent bed bugs in the rest of the room from getting into the luggage.
After unpacking, carefully inspect all clothing and suitcase for any bed bugs that may have snuck in. Be sure to put all clothing in the dresser or closet rather than in the luggage.
Keep the luggage off the floor. Bed bugs commonly infest carpeting, so it's best to avoid giving them easy access to one's belongings.
Request a room change
If there's solid evidence of bed bugs in the hotel room, request a room change. Hotels typically take infestation seriously and will likely approve a room change immediately. However, if the infestation happens at a friend's or family member's house, they may offer a different room, or one may want to stay at a hotel or Airbnb.
Inspect and clean luggage
After returning from a trip, unpack the luggage outside the bedroom and vacuum it thoroughly. Doing so will help eliminate any bed bugs that might've snuck into the suitcase. More importantly, washing clothes right after returning from vacation is one of the best practices for preventing the spread of the pest.
If there's evidence of bed bugs back home, clean the area thoroughly and wash all bedding in hot water. Vacuuming any areas where bed bugs are present and properly disposing of the vacuum bag is essential to keep the pest at bay.
Watch out for bed bug bites
Staying vigilant is crucial in avoiding the spread of bed bugs. While looking for signs of bed bugs, be sure to watch for bite marks. Bed bugs often bite in a linear pattern, typically in threes. If this pattern appears on the skin after sleeping, it is likely to be a bed bug bite mark.
Contact a professional exterminator
Evidence of bites, unfortunately, means that preventive measures have failed. Don't panic. If this persistent pest has spread into the home, a professional exterminator must handle it from here. The earlier a professional can tackle the problem, the less likely it is to spread to other rooms and homes. Therefore, quick action is half the work.
Bed Bugs Arizona offers a free, in-home bed bug inspection and a one-year warranty on all bed bug services. No obligation. We specialize in apartment communities. Our fast, certified technicians provide the Pro-Treat Plus method of bed bug removal to Phoenix and surrounding cities in a 100-mile plus radius, including Flagstaff, Globe, and Casa Grande. Veteran and senior discounts. Call now at (602) 962-8806.
