How to Avoid Bedbugs When Traveling
Image via Flickr by waferboard
You may have wondered how bedbugs disperse themselves if they lack wings. The simple answer is – people. Traveling is the major channel by which people spread bedbugs from one location to the other.
Bedbugs are good at hitchhiking, especially on suitcases and clothes. This behavior has enabled them to become widely distributed in many cities across the globe. Hotels and motels are the most susceptible places that harbor bedbugs. Whether it is a one-star or five-star hotel, you are still at risk. So if you’re not careful, you could become infested with bedbugs when you lodge during your travel.
Some obvious ways to detect bedbug presence are by inspection and if you get bitten. But the goal should be to not carry them while you travel in the first place. Check out these useful tips below to avoid bedbugs when next you get on a road trip.
1. Be careful of hotels with bedbug history
Bedbugs are a serious issue in hotels. Over the years, pest experts have reported several hotels to be infested with bedbugs. So, the first precautionary step to take is to find out which hotels are infested. Make a list of hotels in your region of travel and confirm if they are bedbug-free. You can do this by checking sites like Bedbug Report, Know Bedbugs, and Trip Advisor.
2. Keep luggage away from danger zones
Say you’ve done your research and booked a “bedbug-free” hotel, you still need to exercise caution. Upon arrival, keep your luggage away from the bed or any furniture. You can keep them in the bathroom or a luggage rack, before inspecting the room.
3. Do a careful inspection
Pay close attention to signs of bedbug infestation around the room. Look out for brown spots or stains and insect the mattress before getting into bed. Use a flashlight to check around the mattress, bedframe, and beddings. Furniture, picture frames, and wallpaper are also good hiding spots for bedbugs. Do not leave them out.
If you find any sign of possible infestation, request to change rooms, or you can change the hotel entirely. Avoid moving to any room in close proximity to the infested one—whether adjacent, below, or above it. Bedbugs can travel through wall crevices and sockets.
4. Avoid possible infestation of your luggage
Do not unpack your luggage in the room if you suspect bedbugs—rather, do it in the laundry room. Washing or soaking all your clothes in hot water will kill any existing bedbug. You can use a vacuum cleaner on your suitcase to dislodge any bug hiding in the seams. An approved insecticide can also come in handy to treat your suitcase.
5. Consider covering your luggage
Ensure to keep your belongings—like clothes and toiletries—sealed in Ziploc bags. If your suitcase has seams, you can enclose it in a large Ziploc bag. Do not leave your clothes on the bed, but always fold and arrange them in your box. Dirty clothes must stay in separate bags or get washed immediately.
Professional Bedbug Removal in Michigan (Including Metro Detroit)
To stop the spread of bedbugs, take steps to prevent them when on the move. Getting rid of bedbugs is difficult, so avoiding them while traveling is non-negotiable. Proper inspection and conscious luggage stashing are a few ways to avoid bedbugs. If you find that bedbugs were transported from your hotel room to your home, it may be a good idea to contact a professional to get rid of them before it gets worse. Professional bedbug removal services in Michigan can help you take back control of your Rochester Hills, Livonia, Troy, or Novi, Michigan home. Solidified Pest Control has the knowledge you need to remove bedbugs for good. If you’re a property owner, we can remove bedbugs from your apartment or hotel. Contact us today for a free consultation at (248) 820-3057. We service all of Metro Detroit, Michigan, including Redford, Dearborn, Ferndale, Southfield, Royal Oak, Canton, Westland, Milford, Plymouth, Livonia, Troy, Clawson, Clarkston, Harrison Township, and Clinton Township, Michigan. Solidified Pest Control is your pest control Michigan expert.