Prevent Bed Bugs While Traveling

If you’re planning a trip out of town, you undoubtedly have a lot of things on your mind. Bed bugs probably aren’t one of them. As much as you may hate to think about it, bed bug infestations are commonly spread through traveling—making it important to learn how to prevent them. Whether you have a week-long vacation ahead or are welcoming your college student home for the holidays, there are a number of ways to prevent bed bugs while traveling. Keep reading for expert tips from the team at Pest Defense Solutions!

The bed bug problem in hotels

You may think that only 1-star motels deal with bed bugs, but that’s unfortunately not the case. Bed bug problems occur even in the nicest of hotels without the help of a professional exterminator who can prevent them. Millions of people from around the world check-in and out of hotels on a daily basis, making bed bug infestations a ticking time bomb. When researching a hotel to stay in, it’s important to read the reviews to look for mentions of bed bugs.

Bed bug prevention when traveling

When preparing for your travels, there are a few things to do to prevent bed bugs:

1. Properly pack your suitcase.
   • Use a suitcase with a hard casing/shell.
   • Wrap all clothing and fabric items in plastic bags.
2. Thoroughly inspect your hotel room when you arrive.
   • Pull back the bedsheets and look between the mattress and box springs for bed bugs.
   • Look for signs of eggs, feces, or skin that has been shed.
3. Store your luggage above-ground.
   • Always place luggage on suitcase racks or on top of dressers.

How to prevent bed bugs after a trip

When you return home from traveling, you’re not safe from bed bugs yet! In fact, bed bug problems often start when college students come home on break! Always wash and dry your clothing in hot water, and thoroughly vacuum or steam-clean your suitcase before storing it. If you find bed bugs in your property after traveling it’s best to call the bed bug exterminators at Pest Defense Solutions. We will implement effective treatment and provide more tips on how to prevent bed bugs while traveling outside the El Paso TX area.