The holiday season is upon us — a time for traveling, whether that means reuniting with family, exploring a new destination, or seeking a well-deserved retreat. Amidst the excitement, it’s easy to overlook the hidden menace of bed bugs. Unfortunately, many vacations end with unwanted bed bug infestations, so let’s talk about tips for staying safe from bed bugs during your holiday travels.
Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?
Bed bugs are unique in the world of pests. While most pest problems enter your house from outside, bed bugs are different. With bed bugs, you unwittingly bring them in yourself – often after traveling and staying at a hotel, motel, Airbnb, dormitory, or other lodging.
Understanding where bed bugs originate and taking mindful precautions are key to preventing them in your home.
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How to Prevent Bringing Bed Bugs Back from Winter Vacation
The key to avoiding bed bugs during your travels is situational awareness. Bed bugs can be anywhere, from the most luxurious hotels to motels. They don’t discriminate based on cleanliness or location. So, when you’re staying somewhere new — or even just passing through places like airports and taking transit somewhere — it’s wise to assume bed bugs may be present.
With that in mind, here’s what we recommend upon your arrival in a new place:
- Inspect Your Room: Before settling in, place your luggage in the bathroom away from walls and furniture. Pull back the bed sheets and examine the mattress seams for any signs of bed bugs like small rust-colored stains, eggs, or shed skins.
- Use Protective Covers: Consider encasing your luggage with plastic bags or protective covers to keep bed bugs out.
- Hang Clothes: Instead of using drawers, hang your clothes in the closet, making sure they don’t touch the walls.
- Store Dirty Laundry Carefully: Bed bugs are attracted to the scent of worn clothes. Seal dirty laundry in plastic bags to prevent attracting them.
- Stay Vigilant in Public Spaces: Be cautious in places like airport lounges, taxis, and airplane seats. Bed bugs can inhabit upholstery and carpeting in these areas.
- Perform a Final Check: Before leaving, inspect your luggage and belongings for any unwelcome guests. Pay close attention to zippers, seams, and pockets.
How Do Bed Bugs Locate You?
Bed bugs are attracted by the carbon dioxide in our breath and our body heat. They usually emerge at night following our breath to locate where we sleep. They are highly motivated to find hosts to feed on because blood is their only food source. They require blood meals to breed and survive and can go six months to a year without food.
Additional Holiday Travel Bed Bug Prevention Tips
- Skip the Sprays: There’s no reason to apply pesticides or sprays to your luggage or clothing. They aren’t effective against bed bugs and can make you sick.
- Communicate with Your Hotel: Don’t hesitate to ask your hotel about their bed bug policies and cleaning practices. Reputable establishments will address your concerns openly. If they avoid the topic, consider it a warning sign.
- Educate Yourself on Bed Bug Signs: Familiarize yourself with all signs of bed bugs, including tiny white eggs, translucent nymphs, blood spots, droppings, and shed skins. The more you know, the better you can protect yourself.
- Be Ready to Relocate: If you discover bed bugs in your room, request a different room far from the affected area or, if possible, find alternative accommodations. Bed bugs can easily migrate through walls, so one infested room often means others are at risk.
- Use a Hardside Suitcase: Bed bugs have a harder time climbing onto hardside cases compared to fabric luggage.
Bed Bug Exterminators Serving Central Florida
At [Company], we understand that you might still encounter bed bugs even if you’re vigilant. While prevention is the best defense against bed bugs, when an infestation does happen, we’re here for you.
Call Forest Pest Control today, and let our experts restore your comfort and peace of mind. Because the only thing you should be bringing back from holiday vacation is cherished memories.
Pest Tips – Holiday Travel and Bed Bugs in Central Florida
Serving Orange, Lake, Seminole, Volusia, & Osceola Counties