Travel Tips to Avoid Bed Bugs 

Bed bugs are wingless, don’t jump much, and typically move around by crawling. So how can these pests pose such a significant problem for travelers?  

More than 50% of pest control professionals receive an uptick in calls for bed bug pest control services during high travel seasons. Those findings established by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) reveal the risk that travelers unknowingly bring these uninvited, unwelcome souvenirs home with them.  

The simple truth is these tiny pests spread far and wide by hitching rides on luggage, clothing, and upholstered items. This makes it easy for travelers to unknowingly spread bed bugs from place to place, including their own homes.  

Knowing the signs of bed bugs and how to protect yourself is the first step in the fight to avoid bed bugs while traveling. Let’s explore how to block these creepy-crawly critters from hitching a ride home with you on your next trip.  

Bed Bug Identification  

Bed bugs are parasitic insects with six legs and brown bodies that can appear purplish-red after feeding. They are small and typically grow up to 3/8 inch in size. Adults have a long, flat, oval-shaped body that can look fatter after feeding. They look similar to apple seeds and can give off a musty, sweet odor. Nymphs are smaller and have whitish-yellow or translucent bodies that can be practically invisible unless they have fed recently. Eggs are a pearly-white color and are as tiny as the head of a pin.  

The extremely small size is only one reason bed bugs can be difficult to spot. These parasites feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals and humans and are experts at hiding, only emerging to feed.  

Where Bed Bugs Like to Hide 

It’s possible to encounter bed bugs just about anywhere. They can be found in cars, buses, trains, planes, theaters, offices, and just about anywhere you find clothing or furniture. According to statistics from NPMA, approximately 75% of pest control professionals have been called to treat bed bug infestations in hotels and motels, creating a significant hazard for travelers. Other data also suggests hotels and motels are among the most common places for bed bug infestations, third only to single-family homes and apartments or condominiums.  

What are some common bed bug hiding spots in hotels and other locations?  

• Mattresses and furniture: Seams of mattresses, box springs, chairs, cushions, and couches 
• Cracks and crevices: Cracks in the bed frame, headboard, and footboard and the joints of drawers and furniture 
• Carpeting: Particularly near beds, furniture, and baseboards 
• Wall hangings: On the back of wall hangings and under loose wallpaper 
• Electrical sockets: Inside electrical receptacles and appliances 
• Architectural details: Junctions where the wall and baseboard or ceiling meet and any opening wide enough to slip a credit card inside 

When inspecting these areas, look for signs of bed bugs. These clues include rust-colored spots of blood, dark spots from waste materials, clumps of tiny eggs or shells, exoskeletons, and live bugs. 

Bed Bug Prevention Tips to Help Avoid Bringing These Unwanted Pests Home 

USX Pest Control provides state-of-the art bed bug control services. We believe that the best form of control is prevention. Our goal is to help you avoid bed bugs while traveling to keep you and your traveling companions safer. Sleep soundly without worrying about bringing these pests home with you with these preventive tips.  

Inspect Hotel and Motel Rooms 

Place your luggage in the bathroom until you’re certain the room is clear of pests. Don’t unpack before performing a thorough room inspection. Look behind headboards and inside couches and chairs. Check the sheets, mattresses, and box springs, focusing along the seams and corners. Look along baseboards and where the ceiling meets the wall. If you find anything suspicious and need to change rooms, don’t switch to one directly above, below, or next to the one with a potential infestation. Any room in the immediate vicinity is likely to also have bed bugs. 

Protect Your Luggage  

Hard-shell suitcases offer the most protection. Alternatively, you could use a protective cover or place your suitcases in plastic garbage bags to prevent bed bugs from finding a new home there. Whether you choose to wrap your suitcases or not, keep your bags zipped and off the carpeting. Ideally, keep items on hard surfaces or on luggage racks after inspecting them to ensure no bed bugs are lurking in the crevices. 

Keep Clothing in Sealed Bags 

Avoid unpacking and placing your belongings in drawers. Place dirty laundry in sealed plastic bags and consider stowing anything else that can’t easily be cleaned, including books and electronics, in protective, sealed plastic bags. 

Inspect Your Luggage and Clothing Before Entering the House 

Before going inside your house, take some time to thoroughly inspect your luggage while you’re still outside, paying close attention to seams, pockets, and the lining. Vacuum and steam clean your empty luggage before storing it. Wash all clothing (even items you didn’t wear) using hot water and tumble dry for at least 30 minutes to kill any critters that may have stowed away. 

Contact USX Pest for Professional Bed Bug Control Services 

Bed bugs can happen to the best of us. Whether someone brought them into your home or you inadvertently brought them back after traveling, prompt professional attention can help get things under control.  

These pests are not a DIY project. They can be very challenging to eliminate on your own, but with USX Pest’s innovative treatments and customized services, you’ll be sleeping soundly (and bug-free) in no time. Schedule an inspection today or call us at 855-340-2161 to learn more.