The Only Bed Bug Resource a Traveler Will Need

It is so important to take steps for bed bug prevention while traveling. Bed bugs can truly be picked up from any location so you want to be vigilant that they are taking precautions. You don’t want bed bugs to be an unexpected souvenir from your travels.

How to Detect A Bed Bug Infestation:

Bed bugs look like apple seeds. They have six (6) legs and two (2) antennae. They also have little brown hairs that come out of their body. It is important to note that bed bugs are not an indication of a sanitation issue. They are hitchhikers that can catch a ride from any location. You will find them in high end hotels just as easy as you can find them in motels, your neighbors, movie theaters, and even churches.

Bed bugs are nocturnal creatures. Even if you check in during the day and don’t see anything, you will still have to do your due diligence and check around a whole room. Check especially in places that bed bugs like to hide (more below). Something to note is that bed bugs can’t really climb metal so you won’t find them on those metal racks that hotels often have. Bed bugs can’t fly so they will have to be in places that they can climb to.

Signs of an infestation include find hatched eggs or unhatched white/pearl colored eggs attached to things like sofas or mattresses. You might also find little blood drops or brown colored discoloration on the mattress or wherever the infestation is located.

Bed Bug Prevention While Traveling:

When you check in to your hotel, airbnb, or wherever you may be staying, make sure that you ask about bed bug prevention. Any hotel that is worth their snuff will be able to speak a little bit about what they have put in place for preventing bed bugs and what they can do for you if you discover that your room has bed bugs.

When you arrive put your things in the bathroom. Bed bugs are less likely to be in the bathroom because they don’t like the tile floors. It is also the suggestion to keep your bags off of the carpet and the spare bed. These are both places where bed bugs can be found. If you don’t put your things in the bathroom then put them on the desk, dresser, or metal racks in the closet.

Pull back the sheets to inspect the bed. It is obvious that a well made bed can be a work of art but you want to pull back the sheets to check the mattress for signs of an infestation. At the very least you want to look between the mattress and box spring since this is one of the most prevalent hiding spots for bed bugs.

Make sure that you inspect your entire room. This includes behind the headboard and any chairs that may be in the room. This tip is primarily for chairs that have soft material where bugs can hide. Some of the favorite spots are under the mattress, under the bed frame, and behind the headboard.

Also check behind picture frames and under phones because most bugs are found within 15 feet of the bed.

Additional Tips:

In North America there is the “bed bug registry”. This is a great resource that you can use to check the location that you have booked to see if there have been bed bugs reported. There is always a chance that someone is crying wolf because they are angry but all reports should be heeded.

Make sure that you check your seats on the plane. There can always be a chance that a fellow traveler picked up some bed bugs from their home or from a location they visited and the bed bugs are now living their best lives in whatever crevice they can find.

If you find something and decide to stay at the establishment. Be careful when it comes to picking rooms. Try to stay at least 2 floors away from the infestation. Definitely do not take a room that is adjacent in any direction or directly above or below.

Consider placing your bag or suitcase in a plastic bag to prevent bed bugs from getting in. If you don’t have a lot of money you can always just black them in a trash bag. You can also place your clothes inside of vacuum bags or what I call “poor man space bags” which are basically just large zip locks.

When you get Home:

1. Make sure that you vacuum your bag as soon as you get home. If fact, don’t even bring it inside until it has been cleaned. Leave it in the garage or outdoors until you can get it properly cleaned.
2. Keep suitcases wrapped up after emptying. I would suggest that you wrap it in plastic with some trash bags and duct tape it closed. A simple solution for about $5 until you are ready to use it again.
3. Try a steam clean for any eggs that may be dormant. Heat is a great killer of bed bugs.
4. Wash all of your clothes that you bring back in hot water. This includes the clothes that you haven’t worn or clothes that you just bought.

If you get them:

1. High dryer heat will kill bed bugs. If you find the bed bugs in your clothes then a tumble in the dryer on high heat will help to kill the bugs or their eggs.
2. Bed bugs hide in power outlets. Take the extra step to cover all of your power outlets. This way, when you call the exterminator and your home is being treated, this is one less place for the bed bugs to hide.
3. Vacuum sealed bags will be your best friend. This is especially the case for seasonal clothes that will just be sitting because they are not being used. You do not want to risk an infestation hiding in your clutter or untouched boxes.
4. Vacuum all the floors. I would suggest that you vacuum every soft material surface that you can find. This includes your curtains, closets, sofas, and chairs. When you have finished vacuuming, clean the contents out and throw them away outside and away from your home so that the little critters do not find themselves back in.
5. Call a professional. Seriously. My suggestion would be for you to take the previously mentioned steps and then call a professional to help you find whatever remains and to prevent a full blown breakout.

I am going to end the post here. Mostly because I am itching from all this bug talk and also because I don’t have any more tips for preventing bed bugs while traveling. Travel safe my friends!