Bug-Friendly Tips for Your Summer Travel
Image via Flickr by hernanpba
Summer is here in all its glory; the sun is at its peak, flowers have no reason to hide, and the weather is as clear as can be. What a perfect time for a travel getaway. But wait. Did you know that summer is that time when bugs such as mosquitoes and bedbugs are most active?
So as you gear up to fit in your last-minute travel plans, it’ll be wise to approach it with some preparations and forehand knowledge about bugs. This can help you get the best out of your vacation and also avoid what might turn into a “bug-cation”. Laid out in this piece are some helpful travel tips that can ease things up while you prepare for one of the best vacations of the year.
Choose Your Accommodation Carefully
You need to know all there is to know about where it is you’ll be staying for your vacation. The kind of pest control measures they employ, bugs to watch out for, and their history with bugs. You can call earlier to ask, or read from people’s reviews on their website. You can also check the Michigan Bed Bug Registry report. Bed bugs are one of the most common types of bugs you’re likely to come across when traveling.
Pack Bug Repellent in Your Suitcase
Although bugs like mosquitoes are more prevalent in tropical areas at other times of the year, no region is entirely free from them during summer. Mosquitoes have become a big cause for concern in places such as the Caribbean, where Zika Virus cases are prevalent. So before you hit the road, shop for EPA-approved bug sprays and cream-based repellents to take along with you for effective repellence against mosquitoes.
Keep Food Items Sealed
When packing up snacks, sweets, and foods, watch out for bugs that can carefully sneak in without you knowing. During your stay, never leave food items uncovered for long. Doing so can give bugs time to lay eggs on it, which may make you sick if ingested. An even bigger problem is that an infestation might start if the bug eggs hatch upon reaching your home.
Get to Know the Foreign Insects
Before traveling, learn about possible bugs you might encounter. Since even the same kind of bugs can have different behaviors, this will help you know how to protect yourself. A perfect example is Zika Virus which is transmitted by mosquitoes. In some regions like sub-Saharan Africa, malaria is a more common disease that mosquitoes would transmit if that’s where you’re traveling to. Having prior knowledge of what to expect about the bugs will help you take adequate measures to make your stay worthwhile.
Enjoy a Michigan Bug-Free Vacation
Bugs can turn your summer vacation into a nightmare real quick if you do not plan to take on them before they get ahead of you. Warm weather favors them, which is why you may have an infestation-size encounter with these pests. Thankfully, following the tips mentioned in this article should guarantee you a bug-free summer trip. If you do find bugs in your suitcase when you get back home, make sure you clean it out fully before unpacking.
Bringing home even a few bugs with you from vacation can lead to an infestation. Contact a professional to help you come up with a plan to get rid of the pests for good. Solidified Pest Control offers Troy pest control services. We also have pest control services in St. Clair Shoes, Clarkston, and Sterling Heights, Michigan. If you’re not sure what type of bug is taking over your home, schedule one of our residential pest inspection services in Michigan. You can easily reach us online here, or by phone at (248) 820-3057. Solidified Pest Control serves all of Metro Detroit for all your pest removal needs.
Want to learn which cities in Michigan have the highest bed bug rates? Check out this blog on Michigan’s four cities with the highest bed bug numbers.