Unfortunately, everyone in your area is at risk of bed bug exposure. As a professional pest management firm, we will be the first to tell you right now there is no way to eliminate the threat of this pesky parasite entirely. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t mitigate your risks. With this in mind, it is the travelers that are at the biggest risk of exposure these days. Spending various times in different locations around the world can pose all kinds of unique threats. Simply put, it’s growing more and more important for travelers to learn to protect themselves from the threat of bed bugs.
Taking The Time To Research
The Internet is without a doubt a powerful tool. One of the most powerful available today. You’ll probably use it to plan out half your trip or more. Maybe you are a play-it-by-ear type of individual. Whatever the situation is, it will pay just to take a little bit of time to do some research on bed bugs. If you know the area you are traveling to, you can take the time to do a quick search and find out where bed bug sightings have been reported. Doing this for hotels can be extremely helpful.
Knowing Where To Look
Research will play a vital role in your mitigation efforts, but it will not eliminate the threat entirely. Another great trip to avoid these pesky parasites while staying on unfamiliar grounds is by knowing exactly where to look. Although bed bugs are opportunistic pests and will take up residence just about anywhere given the chance, there are specific places they prefer to others. The mattress and box springs would be the perfect example, hence the name. Bed bugs always choose the mattress and box springs as their number 1, go-to residence. This is because it provides them with quick and easy access to their host.
If you leave your luggage in the car, come into the room where you will be staying, and scour it for the presence of the bugs, you might be able to avoid a potential infestation. Looking under the mattress, in the pillowcases, check the drapes, under the rugs, and in the nightstands. Look for common signs and symptoms of these creepy crawlers.
Practice Due Diligence
If your initial search does uncover any symptoms of the bug, it doesn’t mean you need to assume all is well. Bed bugs are extremely cryptic pests and will actually go out of their way to hide from you. Therefore, it becomes imperative to continue and practice due diligence. Always keep the thought of an infestation in the back of your mind. Always think that there is the potential to become infected. Throughout your stay, constantly scour the known hiding spots for these bugs. At the very first sighting, seek other accommodations.
Your Return Trip
Even if you stayed the entire time in a hotel room and didn’t experience any strange occurrences, it doesn’t mean you are bed bug-free. You might have an infestation and not even know it. It will pay to take the time to empty your belongings and give them a good once over before heading home. If you want to be even extra careful, you can wash them in hot water and dry them on high heat immediately after returning to the residence.