There are a few species of pests, namely ants and spiders, that wander into our homes looking for food and a place to nest. But there are other pests that have to be brought in from an outside source to be any kind of prominent issue. Bed bugs are are what we would call a “source based pest.” This source can include a slew of seemingly harmless events or even just dumb luck situations, but most of the time bed bugs are brought in by returning travelers. Here’s what you can do to defend yourself against bed bugs while traveling.
Know what a bed bugs looks like
Easy enough, here's a bed bug.
It's important to generally know what bed bugs look like. They are pretty small and brown and flat. Here is a picture of one close up:
Check your Bed
How to check a Bed for Bedbugs
Though at times bed bugs can be elusive, most of the time bed bugs can be detected with a minute long search:
First, remove the top blankets, revealing the sheets of the bed. A quick glance should reveal any stains left by bed bugs feces or blood from victims. I know, gross right? If the sheets are all clear, check the seams of the mattress. Lift up the seams, keeping an eye out for more feces or blood spots. This is also one of the spots where live bed bugs can be seen crawling around looking gross. It’s also a good idea to check the headboard of the bed as well as the flooring around the bed. Bed bugs often will leave all their poop and eggs with an area surrounding the bed. Those areas can just look like a really dirty spot under the bed, but it shouldn’t be difficult to realize that something is amiss. If there are any signs of bed bugs, immediately let management at the hotel know. Better yet, find somewhere else to stay!
Keep your dirty clothes separate from the fresh ones
This pretty much goes without saying, but in the event that contact with bed bugs was unknowingly made, this will help temporarily quarantine any bed bug material that may have latched onto your clothing. It is also a good idea to take any dirty clothes to a laundromat during your travels and wash them all on the hottest settings. Bed bugs perish at temperatures of 140 degrees and up.
Avoid Bed Bugs While Unpacking
This is probably the most important part of traveling when it comes to preventing a bed bug situation. When arriving back home, it is extremely important that any luggage remains outside the house before being cleaned and inspected for bed bugs and any other creepy crawlies. This is important when traveling outside of the country, especially if visiting a third world country. When unpacking, immediately throw any clothes, even unused ones, into the washer and dryer on maximum heat. Unpack the rest of the luggage, keeping an eye out for any anomalies like bug droppings, shells and eggs.
Leave luggage outside home until everything is washed. Next, visually inspect the luggage itself. Check the seams of the upholstery, the linings of zippers and any small crevices or slots for evidence of bed bugs. If the luggage is also machine washable, we would definitely recommend washing it on the hottest temperature as well. We did not make this video, but it is a very good tool for ensuring your safety when traveling.
Be cautious and aware during these trips, and there shouldn’t be any issues. Don’t forget to have a good trip!