Now that people are starting to travel more and more, bed bug infestations could become an issue. These tiny pests can follow you around as you vacation across that scenic Caribbean cruise or visit the city of your dreams. While any pest can be a nuisance, bed bugs are arguably among the hardest to deal with and expel from your home.
Worry not, we’ve got your back. We have prevention best practices up our sleeves to help keep bed bugs at bay when you’re vacationing. Let’s explore what you need to know about bed bugs and how to steer away from them.
About Bed Bugs
Although bed bug infestations can happen at any time, their peak time is when multiple people are on the move — like summertime. These blood-sucking insects feed on human blood when they are resting. They often seek accommodation in places where people sleep.
The big question is, can you identify a bed bug if it’s right in front of you? You’re right if you picture a flat, wingless insect with reddish-brown coloration. You can also spot bed bug infestation through the dark fecal stains of the blood they digested and their eggs that look like tiny white rice grains, not forgetting a sweet, musty odor.
And is a bed bug bite dangerous? It’s unusual to develop a serious illness from bed bug bites. You could get an itch or a scratch, sometimes a total lack of sleep. But an allergic reaction after several bites could warrant immediate medical attention.
Where You Can Find Them
Traditionally, bed bugs were a menace associated with developing nations. However, their tenacity and ability to go months on end without a blood meal have made them travel every corner of the globe. You could encounter them anywhere during your travels, as the cleanliness of the living area wouldn’t deter them from waiting for you.
So, whether you’re in a five-star or a cheap hotel, the bed bugs can bite. You may find them anywhere with sleeping areas, including Airbnb, cruise ships, planes, buses, trains, hotels, and motels. It can be pretty hard to spot them during the day as they’ll hide in every nook and cranny — unless you know where to look.
Most bed bugs can hide in cracks and crevices. Look at bed frames, mattress seams, carpets, headboards, dresser tables, behind wallpaper, and under car seats. While they primarily stay closer to the sleeping areas, bed bugs could move hundreds of feet around the nearby location.
Things to Watch Out for While Traveling
As you travel and enjoy your well-deserved vacation, you might want to keep an eye out for the bed bugs and do your best to avoid their presence. Our pest control team knows firsthand how annoying these tiny creatures are, so it would be best not to let them into your home.
- Inspect your hotel room using a bright flashlight for signs of bedbugs in the mattress, sheets, headboard, and between carpets. You can conduct a basic search or in-depth check of the furniture and all crevices.
- Protect your luggage. Check the luggage rack and your suitcase for bed bug signs. Your luggage might have caught a bug or two on the airplane, bus or ship, or the luggage rack could harbor the tiny pests.
- Wrap your dirty clothes in a plastic bag. You wouldn’t want the bugs to smell the chemical scent on the clothes and come running to you.
- Always wipe your shoes with a warm, damp cloth to reduce the chances of infestation.
- Counter-check your items when packing to eliminate the chances of the bedbugs hitchhiking home with you.
If You Accidentally Bring Them Home… Call Us!
If these pesky little pests find their way home with you, we advise you to call in professionals. Our experts are highly trained at getting rid of your bed bug problems. Eradicating bed bugs on your own can be daunting or near impossible, and delaying pest control services could worsen the infestation. Reach out to our team, and we’ll customize a bed bug inspection and treatment plan to eliminate them.
