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Dodging Bed Bugs During Travel: 5 Vital Tips

Bed bug infestations cost thousands of dollars to eliminate. Avoid the pests before they become a problem.

By Alex JohnsonPublished 4 years ago 4 min read
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Bed bugs quickly reproduce, and their minute size can be difficult to see.

The sheer thought of bed bugs may make you feel like you want to go insane. Bites from these little insects aren't exactly pleasant, after all. They can make people feel more than a little bit disturbed and unsettled. Some people feel apprehensive about travel due to the concept of bed bugs invading their spaces. There are so many horror stories that involve these pests taking over hotel rooms everywhere. If you're a traveler who wants to do everything you can to skirt these annoying nightmares, then there are a number of effective strategies that can help you sleep a lot more easily and soundly.

Take advantage of luggage racks.

If you don't want to even think about the existence of bed bugs, you should be mindful of where you place your luggage. The most common thing people do when finally reaching their hotel is toss their luggage directly on the bed. You should refrain from placing any clothing items or suitcases straight on top of beds because if there are bed bugs, they can make their way inside of your luggage for an unwanted road trip back home with you. And let’s be honest, this is the last thing you want to deal with after returning from a trip.

If you notice any luggage racks that are made out of metal, you should take full advantage of them, zero exceptions. Bed bugs simply do not have the ability to rapidly ascend surfaces that consist of metal. That's precisely the reason that these racks can make excellent homes for luggage items for extended spans of time. Make sure you do not place these kinds of racks close to any furniture pieces or walls (yes - they can even be on the walls).

Use plastic bags.

The assistance of plastic bags can go a long way for people who are keen on dodging the headaches of hotel bed bugs. Simply place your clothing inside of sealable plastic bags to prevent the pests from accessing your gear. Remember, too, that these insects have the ability to conceal themselves inside of magazines, books and the like. They can be quite stealthy at times, and that's what makes dealing with them so tricky. An added trick is to even pack a garbage bag to place your whole suitcase in when staying in hotels. Just make sure to tie it tight!

Infestations are NOT limited to hotels and motels.

Never assume that bed bug infestations are limited to hotels and motels. They're not. These little insects tend to flourish in areas that are cooler, are relatively dim, and areas that continuously welcome a lot of people. They're accessible on the seats of all kinds of public transportation from buses to planes and taxis to trains. While it’s much less likely to get an infestation from these areas than a hotel, it's always better to be vigilant. Before you travel using any of these options, get a good understanding on how to find bed bugs and the clues they leave behind, including blood stains - yuck!

Read reviews.

If you're preparing for upcoming travel, always research current news about city outbreaks and hotel reviews for details that may relate to recent outbreaks. Take the time to carefully and prudently study up on any hotels that are on your consideration list. If you read reviews on the Internet that describe a hotel that's unclean or neglected in any way, shape or form, then you should probably think twice about booking a room.

But remember, if you dig too deep into reviews, just about every hotel will have a review mentioning bed bugs throughout its existence, so be sure to focus on the recent reviews.

Take laundry seriously.

There are many things you can do to stay away from the dilemmas of bed bugs during your travels, but you should never assume that you’re in the clear. As soon as you get home, make it a priority to place anything you packed in your luggage in the laundry as soon as possible. Wash your clothing meticulously with hot water; use a sanitize setting if your washing machine has the option, because heat kills bed bugs. The sooner you place your clothing pieces in the wash, the sooner you can feel confident about preventing an infestation in your home.

If you took every precaution but still ended up with a bed bug infestation, you will need to follow a step-by-step guide that details how to get rid of bed bugs. These steps typically include using a specific vacuum cleaner, insecticide dusts, and heat (whether washing everything or using a bed bug heater). Bed bug infestations can cost thousands of dollars to professionally eliminate, but most homeowners can get the job done themselves.

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