Guard Against Bed Bugs as You Travel for the Holidays

Holiday travel can be stressful. The crowds, the rush, and the possibility for delays because of bad weather can really put you on edge. Adding a bed bug infestation to the mix of all the other stressors can turn the holidays from a time for joy to a time of frustration. In order to avoid dealing with a bed bug infestation this winter, you need to guard against them as you travel for the holidays. You can do this by inspecting your hotel room for signs of bed bugs, keeping your clothing and luggage off the floor, and by taking precautions when you return home.

Inspect your hotel room for signs of bed bugs

Bed bugs can be difficult to spot if you do not understand the basics of their behavior. Most people understand that they are often found in beds. But bed bugs can also infest the areas surrounding the bed such as the nightstand, headboard, and electrical outlets. In addition, they can hop into your luggage or attach themselves to your clothes and follow you home. When you check into your hotel during your holiday travels, take a few minutes to examine the bed and surrounding areas. Look along the edges of the sheets and then pull them back and examine the seams of the mattress. They are small, round, and are generally a brownish-red color. They can often be spotted on the contrast of a white mattress. If you find bed bugs on the bed or surrounding areas, take your things and leave the room. Request a different room or switch hotels – it is not worth the risk to stay in a room you know is infested.

Keep your clothing and luggage off the floor

It is possible that you will miss an infestation even if you inspect your room upon arrival. Because of this, it is important to take other precautions against bringing bed bugs back to your home. One precaution you can take is to keep your luggage and clothing away from the bed and off the floor. This step can help prevent bed bugs from crawling onto your clothes or into your luggage.

Take precautions when you return home

The final step in guarding against bed bugs as you travel for the holidays is to take precautions once you return home. Take all of your clothing and wash and dry it on the hottest setting the clothes can handle. Bed bugs cannot survive high heat and this step may help kill off any of these pests that managed to follow you home. Do the same with your luggage if it is washable.

Following these suggestions will help you guard against bed bugs as you travel this holiday season. Stay diligent in your efforts so you can return home with your gifts and memories and leave the bed bugs behind.