We are used to staying precautions against COVID-19 and other possible infections when staying at hotels. Bed bugs are another threat worth avoiding in hotel rooms.
Jeff White, chief product officer, said, “Bed bugs can be present in any hotel no matter how expensive the rooms may be. We just had a pest control company mention to us the other day that all the calls they are seeing now are in your higher-priced properties.”
It is not an experience you wish on your worst enemy if you have ever dealt with a bed bug infestation. It’s worth being mindful when traveling.
Matt Kelley, president, “Bed bugs affect people in different ways, but for most people, it can cause extreme anxiety, panic, and worry. It, in turn, can drastically interfere with a person’s regular sleep cycle.”
Travelers can take other precautions to avoid bed bugs by checking hotels, Kelley, White, and other experts told us.
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Identify The Signs
Brittany Campbell, an entomologist, “Since bed bugs are tiny, cryptic creatures hiding deep in cracks and crevices, bringing them into a home is impossible.”
Even though bed bugs are tiny, they are generally visible to the naked eye during the day. Kelley noted that this holds throughout the life cycle of bed bugs.
Examine The Bed
Bed bugs hide in and around beds, so check there first. Check the pillows, sheets, and comforter for telltale stains or spots in addition to the visible mattress seams and box spring.
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Maples Images
White said, “I typically recommend checking the obvious areas such as the edges of the mattress and box spring as well as any area you can see on the headboard without moving everything around.”
Keep Your Suitcase Safe
Despite the lack of evidence of bed bugs, there are still steps you can take to avoid bringing them home. The most effective measure is to protect your luggage.
Campbell advised, “Consider placing your suitcase in a plastic trash bag or protective cover during your trip to ensure that bed bugs cannot take up residence there before departure.”