They Followed Me Home: 3 Ways To Keep Bedbugs Away When You Travel
If you and your family are going to be spending time in hotels this summer, you need to be aware of bedbug infestations. Many hotels in the United States have been waging a battle against bedbugs. One study found that hotels were one of the top three places where pest control technicians found bedbug activity. Unfortunately, with a growing bedbug infestation, you and your family can unwittingly bring the nasty creatures home with you. Once they're in your home, they can be difficult to get rid of. Here are three steps you can take that will keep bedbugs out of your belongings while you're traveling.
Use Resealable Plastic Bags
The best way to keep bedbugs from following you home is to do some advance preparation. When you're packing, don't just place your clothing in your luggage. Instead. Place all of your garments in resealable plastic bags. Complete outfits can be placed in vacuum-seal bags and sealed. Once your clothing is sealed in the vacuum bags, you can place them in the luggage. Your clothing will stay safely packed away until you're ready to wear them. Once you've worn the clothing, place them back in the bag and store them away until you get home.
Don't Put Your Luggage on the Bed
Bedbugs love to hide in dark places. Most of the time, you'll find them hiding on mattresses, especially in the crevices along the edges. However, bedbugs also like to hide in the carpeting and on upholstered furniture. To stop bedbugs from following you home, keep your luggage off the beds, floors and upholstered furniture. To keep the bedbugs away, place your luggage on the luggage racks that are usually located inside the closets.
Inspect the Drawers
If you're going to be staying in a hotel for an extended period of time, you may want to unpack and use the dressers. Before you place your clothing in the drawers, make sure you inspect for bedbug activity. Bedbugs can find their way into dresser drawers by traveling on the clothing of other guests. When inspecting drawers for bedbug activity, look for egg casings and droppings. In most cases, they'll be along the edges of the drawers.
If you're going to be staying in hotels this summer, protect yourself against bedbugs. The suggestions provided above will help keep bedbugs out of your clothing. If you end up with bedbugs, be sure to contact an exterminator for bed bug treatment as soon as possible.