Bed bugs when traveling are a real problem.
I thought it was important to write an article about this topic after a scary experience happen to me with a bedbug-infested hotel room I stayed in.
Laying on my bed for a moment after a long journey I noticed something on the bed racing towards me.
I jumped up out of bed and saw it.
“What The Hell Is That?” I said out loud as I tried to find out what it was online.
Turns out it was a female bed bug that was about to make a meal out of me.
You know that feeling you get like something is crawling on you?
I started feeling that way and just wanted out of that room A.S.A.P.
As I packed my things and headed to the hotel lobby I told the hotel staff what had just happened.
All they said was we don’t have bed bugs but you can change rooms if you like.
We argued for a bit and eventually, I just switched rooms.
To be honest I just wanted to find another hotel to stay but nothing else was available in the area at the time.
It was a horrible experience and to make matters worse I had a few bed bugs in my luggage and didn’t find out in time before bringing them into my home.
So to make a long story short I’ve learned a lot about preventing bed bugs and even killing them if you are up to the challenge of DIY bed bug treatment.
With that being said this article will go over how to prevent bringing home bed bugs when traveling, bed bugs tips when traveling, and what you can do if you bring bed bugs home.
How Do You Prevent Bringing Bed Bugs Home When Traveling?
There are several things you can do to prevent bringing bed bugs home with you that I wish I would have known about sooner.
Below Are Some Of The Way To Prevent Bed Bugs:
#1. Inspect Your Room
Upon entering your hotel/motel room before you get too comfortable.
It’s wise to inspect your room for bed bugs.
Check the mattress, pillows, furniture, headboard, and even the picture frames.
#2. Keep Your Suitcase Off The Floor
I learned that you should never just place your suitcase on the bed or floor.
Before I unpack anything I just place my luggage in the bathtub.
Then after inspecting the room I keep my suitcase off the floor for the remainder of my stay.
#3. Bring Travel Bed Bug Spray
I didn’t even know this existed until I was looking for ways to keep myself bed bug-free when traveling.
SayByeBugs Bed Bug SprayIt kills bed bugs on contact and now I never travel without it.
#4. Change Rooms If Needed
If you do find that your room has bed bugs switch rooms but make sure you are far enough away from the room you are vacating because they can travel to other rooms nearby.
Then inspect the room again before you unpack are get comfortable in your new room.
Bed Bugs When Traveling Tips
Preventing bed bugs can save you a lot of stress and money.
So make sure to pay attention to the following bed bug tips when traveling:
#1. Inspect Your Room
It’s already been mentioned but inspecting your room is the first step in preventing bed bugs.
Check The Following Areas:
- Mattress
- Pillows
- BoxSpring
- Furniture
- Sheets
If you have a small flashlight it can be helpful to find bed bugs during your inspection.
#2. Research The Hotel
Before you book your room it’s a good idea to check reviews.
What are other customers saying about it?
You can usually find out if it’s a place you want to stay before booking the room.
#3. Elevate Your Luggage
Even after I’ve completed an inspection I make sure to keep my luggage away from the bed and off the floor.
#4. Seal Up Your Belongings
Place all of your dirty clothes into a bag or container that can be sealed.
This can help prevent bed bugs from getting into your clothes.
#5. Immediately Wash Your Clothes
When you arrive home from your travels place your clothes into the washer.
Immediately wash on high heat and dry on high heat.
Bed bugs die in temperatures over 118 degrees Fahrenheit.
How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs After Traveling
Bed bugs when traveling if you happen to bring them home with you.
If it’s too late and you find that you have brought bed bugs into your home you will need to act fast because they quickly multiply.
You can call to get an estimate from a licensed pest control company and have them get rid of bed bugs for you or you can get rid of bed bugs on your own.
If you are interested in getting rid of bed bugs on your own you can do the following:
#1. Vacuum
One method that I tried was using diatomaceous earth on my carpet and then vacuuming my entering home.
Just make sure to wear goggles and a mask to avoid getting the powder on you.
#2. Bed Bug Traps
Another prevention method is to use bed bug traps.
Place the traps on the feet of your furniture.
#3. Mattress Encasement
Using a mattress encasement can help you sleep better and avoid getting bed bug bites.
Simply place the mattress encasement over your mattress and seal it.
#4. Bed Bug Flashlight
Bed bugs can be difficult to find so you can invest in a flashlight that will help you spot them.
You can also bring the bed bug flashlight with you when you travel.
How Long Before I Know If I Brought Bed Bugs Home?
It depends although you may notice you have bed bugs immediately.
If you fear you might have brought bed bugs home make sure to immediately inspect your luggage and wash all of your clothing in hot water.
Bed bug eggs can hatch in only a few weeks.
Places that bed bugs may be hiding are in your furniture, bed, clothes, and electronics.
Bed bugs when traveling can ruin a perfectly good vacation.
So act fast if you do find out that you brought bed bugs home with you.
A small problem can quickly turn into a large problem faster than you might think.
Bed Bug FAQs
Q: What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
A: Bed bugs are flat oval insects that are reddish is color.
You can find pictures of bed bugs here.
Q: What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?
A: Bed bug bites are usually in clusters of 3 or 4 and sometimes in a straight line.
You can find pictures of bed bug bites here.
Q: Where Do Bed Bugs Hide?
A: Bed bugs can hide just about anywhere but it’s common to find bed bugs in areas where people spend most of their time.
That’s why beds are one of the most obvious places to find bed bugs and probably how they got their name.
Q: Can Bed Bugs Jump or Fly?
A: No, fortunately, bed bugs do not fly or jump.
Q: What Kills Bed Bugs?
A: There are a lot of ways to kill bed bugs.
One of the treatment methods is to use heat to kill bed bugs.
However, the following bed bug treatments may be effective:
- Freezing Bed Bugs
- Bed Bug Spray
- Diatomaceous Earth
Conclusion
Bed bugs when traveling are important to learn about because they can help you avoid bringing them into your home.
Traveling is fun but you need to be aware of bed bugs and how to prevent them from ruining your trip.
Make sure to research your hotel before booking your stay, always inspect your room, and immediately wash your clothes in hot water when you arrive home.
If you enjoyed this article please share it and make sure to check out other travel articles here.