Bed bugs travel tips

The following travel tips can save you from bringing in bed bugs to your home especially when you are traveling, or you are shopping

Preventing picking up bed bugs when traveling

Most people usually get bed bugs while on the road. Bed bugs are serial hitchhikers, and they are known for their ability to latch on to clothing and other personal items unknown o humans. Their major source of nutrient is human blood.

Bed bugs can be anywhere, and most of the time, they are often in places where people frequently visit like hotels, public transports, cruise ships and so on. You have to place close attention to these places, so you don’t unknowingly pick up a bed bug.

Here is what you have to do

The first time you enter into a room or cabin, keep your luggage and personal items in the bathroom or on a luggage rack. Do not place your items on the floor or bed, as it is an avenue for bed bugs to crawl on to them.

Take a deep breath when you step into a hotel room or ship cruise. Pay attention to the smell in the room or cabin; if you perceive a strong moist odor like that of a wet towel, then there is every chance that there is a high infestation in the room.

Have a look at the bed, and pay attention to the edges of the bed along with the pillow, mattress, and sheets. Also, check the box spring for the following;

• Specks of blood around the seams
• Black spots on the mattress, bed, headboard
• Skin sheds, or exoskeleton
• Live or dead bed bugs
• Bed bug eggs

You also want to have a look at the upholstered furniture for the signs mentioned above.

As soon as you spot any of these signs, put a call through to the management and ask for a different room in another part of the hotel or cruise ship.

Preventing bed bugs from entering your home after traveling

There is often the fear that you will pick a bed bug or two from your hotel or cabin. You can check out for signs like fecal stains, black spots, or skin sheds or exoskeleton.

You can thoroughly inspect your items before you enter your home.

Should you see any of these signs, it might indicate the presence of bed bugs in your home. You should take swift actions and immediately do the following;

• Upon returning from overnight trips, wash your clothing immediately in hot water. Also, keep all bags and luggage in places where you least spend time like your garage or better still, wrap them in a plastic bag. If you have any items that cannot be washed, place them in a dryer and heat for 30 minutes under the highest heat setting. Bed bugs are killed on exposure to high temperature for a long duration of time.
• Dry the clothes in a clothes dryer after washing on the highest heat setting
• Use a vacuum cleaner or a hand steamer to clean your luggage or bags. Vacuum cleaner or hand steamer can kill bed bugs and their eggs.

Preventing bed bugs from furniture and bedding

The simple solution is not to bring secondhand furniture or bed into your home irrespective of how good looking it is. Prevention is better than cure in this scenario.