Before you take your family on a summer trip, make sure that you’ll stay bed bug free! Here are some tips we found online to keep in mind while traveling this summer.
Before you choose your hotel destination:
- Look up the hotel that you are interested in to see if there is a history of reported bed bug cases, on sites such as Bed Bug Registry.
- Bed bugs are more likely to be found in hot, humid climates.
Before you pack for your trip:
- Pack your belongings in lined, tightly sealed luggage. Bedbugs like cloth and cracks. If you do not have hard-side luggage, make sure you tape all zippers closed to prevent bed bugs from invading your luggage.
- Bed bug travel pillows and laundry bags are also available for traveling.
- Pack a small flashlight.
When you arrive at your destination:
- Use your flashlight to inspect all nooks and crannies of your hotel room, especially around mattresses, box springs, upholstered chairs, headboards, carpets, closets, etc.
- Indications of bed bug infestations will be dark fecal spots, dried blood sports, and of course–bed bugs, whether dead or alive.
While you are on vacation:
- Do not leave your suitcase on the floor or on chairs.
- Do not leave your shoes on the floor.
- Only take out the clothes that you will be wearing and close your luggage immediately afterwards.
When you return home:
- Vacuum the inside and outside of your luggage and any laundry bags or liners that you may have used. Do not use a bag-less vacuum, as this will transfer the problem.
- Wash and dry your clothing in extreme heat, preferably over 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If you cannot wash your clothes in this extreme temperature, have your clothes dry cleaned or leave your clothes outside in extreme heat (140 degrees +) or extreme cold (below 32 degrees) for a few days.
