Don’t Bring Bedbugs Home From Vacation

Vacation is one of life’s great joys, but returning home to an infestation of bedbugs is a nightmare. Unfortunately, bedbugs are common in areas with a lot of movement, like airports and hotels, so travelers need to take extra precautions to avoid bringing them back home.

1. The best way to avoid bringing bedbugs home is to practice basic precautions while away on vacation. It’s a good idea to keep suitcases off the ground wherever possible, such as hanging them on hooks in the closet. When staying in hotels, travelers should avoid placing their luggage directly on the bed and instead leave it in the bathroom or another non-carpeted area. Additionally, you should avoid keeping items near the bed such as clothing or other fabrics that can easily carry bedbugs away from their original source. 
2. Thoroughly inspect your hotel room. Use a flashlight to check around the mattress, seams, headboard, and other furniture. Look for tiny red or brown bugs, small spots of blood, or an unpleasant musty smell. 
3. Before bringing any clothes or luggage into your hotel room, put them in a plastic garbage bag. Don’t unpack until you’ve done a thorough inspection of the room. 
4. Try to avoid buying second-hand furniture, mattresses, and other items. Bedbugs can easily be transported on used items. 
5. When you return home from travel, immediately unpack your belongings in a central area and separate the contents out by item. Place any used clothes in a sealed bag in the washing machine before bringing them inside to prevent bedbugs from hitching a ride. 
6. Vacuum thoroughly, paying special attention to areas near the floor, furniture, and bedding.