The bed bug is one of nature’s most effective hitchhikers. Bed bugs get around by hitching a ride on the very people they will soon be feasting upon. They will travel from one child’s backpack to another at school or they could be hanging out on a piece of furniture you bring into your house.
Hotels are a notorious hub for bed bug travel. They are brought in by people, take up residence in the rooms, multiply and leave with other people. Vacations are an expensive investment in resting and relaxing. The last thing we want to deal with during our time away from work is a parasitic infestation.
How Worried Should I be?
Seeing the cleaning crew going around the hotel every morning may provide a false sense of security. Just how common is it for a hotel to have a bed bug problem? According to a recent study 82 percent of hotels in the U.S. have had to treat for bed bugs in the past 12 months.
Eight out of ten hotels have had to call professionals to treat for bed bugs in the past year! This means no matter which hotel you choose; it has probably had a bed bug infestation in the past 12 months.
How do I Prevent an Infestation?
The hospitality industry is doing everything in their power to prevent bed bug infestations, but they aren’t going to stop it from happening if customers keep bringing them in. Here are some very important steps to ensure you don’t bring any unwanted house guests home with you from vacation.
Check the bed beg registry. The bed bug registry is a database that tracks reported bed bug infestations at hotels across the country. Just enter the name and address of the hotel you plan on staying at to ensure there haven’t been any recent reports.
Thoroughly inspect your room before unpacking. Familiarize yourself with what to look for when inspecting for bed bugs . Peek under the sheets and examine the mattress for stains. Bed bugs feed on human blood and as a result, they leave little red or brown stains behind. Always check the room before making yourself comfortable. Just because it has not been reported to the registry does not mean the hotel is bed bug free.
Keep luggage in sealed plastic trash bags. An effective strategy to keep undetected bed bugs out of your luggage is to seal your suitcase in a large plastic bag. Despite your best efforts, you may still miss the signs of a bed bug infestation. Err on the side of caution and protect your belongings while you are staying in a hotel.
Cleanse everything after you depart from the hotel. Even if you took proper precautions before and during your stay, to ensure you don’t unleash any bed bugs in your house, you must thoroughly clean your suitcase and luggage. Wash every article of clothing or fabric you took with you.
If you are concerned about a bed bug infestation following a vacation, or you are not certain what to look for, schedule an appointment with a professional at Bug Man Exterminating today! Our trained professionals know how to find them and exterminate them!