Can You Acquire Pests While Traveling?

Most people travel during the summer months, and it’s so common that many people forget about some of the issues that can arise while traveling. The number of bed bug infestations in the United States has grown drastically since the early 2000s, which is largely due to an increase in global travel. At IPM Pest & Termite, we know how stressful it can be to have an otherwise enjoyable trip ruined by bed bugs, which is why we want to help you find ways to avoid these pests while you travel this summer.

With so many people traveling in and out of hotels and hostels every day, it’s easy to see why these locations are hotspots for bed bug activity. However, there are many ways you can protect yourself from bringing these pests home with you, so you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest extent. One easy way to do this is to check the bed bug registry, which is a free database of bed bug reports from hotel users in the United States and Canada. This site will let you know if the hotels you are looking at have ever suffered from bed bug problems, so you can make an educated decision on whether you still want to stay there.

Another way to keep your family safe from these pests is to thoroughly inspect lodgings before getting settled. Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown bugs that only feed on blood. Because they thrive on human blood, they often make their home in mattresses. When you check into a hotel room or other form of lodging, it’s a good idea to keep your suitcase in the bathroom until you’ve completed an inspection of the room. You’ll want to check the mattress and bed frame, of course, but you should also look at the luggage rack, in and around bedside cabinets, inside of the wardrobe, and any sofa or chair cushions, paying special attention to the seams. You’ll want to look for live bed bugs, bed bug eggs, shed skin, or dark or black stains.

Even if you haven’t noticed bed bugs, they can still come home with you, so you should also take precautionary steps once you return home to prevent them from becoming unwelcome residents. Bed bugs often use luggage to transport themselves, so store your suitcases in the garage or shed until you’re certain none made it back with you. For clothes, transfer them from your suitcase into black garbage bags and then into the washing machine. Your clothes need to be washed in hot water in order to kill any live bed bugs or bed bug eggs. Once they’ve been washed, if possible, you should then put your clothes into a tumble dryer for at least 30 minutes.

If you do find yourself with a bed bug problem, contact the experts at IPM Pest & Termite. Our expert professionals will create a custom solution for your home, so we can get any pests out quickly and efficiently. We are conveniently located in Lexington, KY, and we are proud to serve the surrounding area, including Versailles, Nicholasville, Richmond, Georgetown, and Winchester, as well as these neighborhoods: Waterford, Pinnacle, Copperfield, Cumberland Hills, Masterson Station, Palomar, Firebrook, and Equestrian Woods.