Travel Tips to Avoid Bedbugs

Before preparing for a vacation, the last thing you probably want to think about is having to avoid pests during your trip. However, before enjoying some rest and relaxation, travelers should learn and practice pest prevention tips to help avoid bringing home these unwanted souvenirs. Pests such as bedbugs can turn a relaxing vacation into a nightmare, especially if they return home with you.  

Bedbugs are one of the most difficult pests to control, but taking precautions, such as inspecting your hotel room or rental home, is a critical first step in avoiding these blood-sucking pests. Keep these tips from the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) top-of-mind when traveling:

1. Check Your Airbnb or Hotel 

Thoroughly inspect the entire hotel room or rental before unpacking, including behind headboards, around the bottom of cushions, and seams of furniture. It is recommended to also pull back bed sheets and inspect mattress seams and box springs, particularly the corners, for pepper-like stains or shed bedbug skins.

2. Don’t Leave Bags on the Floor 

Use a large plastic trash bag or a protective cover to store your luggage during your stay.

Do not place luggage on upholstered surfaces. The safest place is typically in the bathroom in the middle of a tile floor or on a luggage rack after it has been thoroughly inspected. Do not use a luggage rack if it has hollow legs, where bedbugs may hide unseen.

If any pests are spotted, notify management and change rooms or properties immediately. If staying in a hotel, be sure your new room is not adjacent to the possibly infested room.

3.  Inspect and Clean Items Once You Return Home

Once you return home, inspect and vacuum your suitcases thoroughly before bringing them into the home. Consider using a garment hand steamer to steam your luggage, which will kill any bedbugs. It is also important to wash all of your clothes, even if unworn, in hot water, or dry on high heat.

Schedule a Free Inspection with Hulett 

In the case that you return from vacation and you notice signs of bedbug infestation, don’t wait to get help. Our team of pest control experts at Hulett Environmental Services is here to help you control bedbugs in your home and prevent them from returning. We offer a wide selection of pest control solutions at Hulett, ensuring your home stays pest-free. Ready to get started? Schedule your first initial inspection by giving our team a call or filling out our online form.