Five Tips to Avoid Bed Bugs When Traveling

Bed bugs can be very nasty creatures, especially when they infest your home and refuse to leave. Bed bug bites can be downright dangerous to very painful and irritating. But what is most important to know is that bed bugs mostly travel through hitchhiking, and that’s why it is imperative to take care of bed bugs and such infestations when you are traveling. Read on to find out how to make traveling easier and bedbug-free.

1. Spot bed bug infestations

Bed bugs have a very distinct shape and structure of a body. They look like apple seeds, but much smaller in size. So if you spot a bug on your bed, couch or sofa, make sure you look closely to see the size of the bug and identify if it is a bed bug. Bed bugs lay their eggs on the bed sheets, mattresses, and cushions. If you look closely, you might find tiny eggs that pop if you press them with between your fingernails.

Look for eggs especially in places where bed bugs can hide easily, such as the corners of the bed, probably with the help of a credit or business card. When bed bugs are squashed, they leave a distinct rust colored print on the sheet, so if you see yellowish (bed bugs skins that they shed as they grow older) or reddish spots on your hotel bed make sure you call housekeeping and notify the problem immediately.

2. Make sure you do not carry the bed bugs with you

Sometimes we overlook the fact that bed bugs can travel to different areas of the room looking for a place to lay eggs and multiply. Therefore it is very important to take care of your luggage, especially backpacks and bedding that you might be carrying with you.

If you are staying in a hotel, prop the bags up on a shelf, table or cupboard. Do not keep them on the couch or bed where bed bugs can easily be present. If that is not possible, for example, if you’re staying in a dorm room or a double bed, keep the bags as far away from places where bed bug infestations are likely.

If you spot bed bugs in your bed, consider changing rooms because bed bugs can really travel anywhere! When handling your clothes, it is better to hang them thank keeping them folded, since a bed bug can easily crawl into a shirt collar when it’s folded. Before wearing your clothes, make sure you shake them properly, that way any bed bugs will just shake loose and fall.

3. Carry the right kind of luggage

Suitcases that are made of fabric are easier to infest. Similarly, luggage that is black or dark in color is problematic when it comes to spotting bed bugs. Therefore it is important to carry luggage which can stay bedbug-free.

For example, hard case suitcases, or light colored suitcases, preferably not made of cloth or fabric. Small supplies can be carried in plastic ziplock bags and laundry in plastic garbage bags instead of laundry bags.

If you feel you will be traveling to areas where there might be bed bug infestations, carry long sleeved clothes and leggings. Make sure your clothes are machine washable and can go through a drier because excess heat can help kill any bed bugs that might have entered your clothes. All clothes must be washed, even those which weren’t worn. Putting them in a hot dryer will definitely kill them.

4. Carry some equipment to get rid of bed bug infestations

First of all, bed bug bites can be super uncomfortable. Usually, the symptoms appear right after the bite, but they mostly appear in lines or crosses and are a good way to identify bed bug bites. In such cases, itching is the most common problem. Use calamine lotion to treat such itchiness.

Some people do not react to bed bug bites at all. But for others, sometimes bed bug bites leave your skin sore and prone to infections. In order to avoid such cases, carry a bar of anti-bacterial soap. Taking a regular bath with an anti-bacterial soap and reduce the chances of infections and itchiness considerably.

There are certain pesticides that can be used to treat bed bug infestations. While some can be only used outside, certain varieties can be used indoors. Carrying sprays like Harris bed bugs killer spray can really help you. You can also apply a natural bug repellent to your skin that will keep unnecessary bugs away.

5. Choose the right kind of accommodation

Often, when traveling to remote areas, finding the right kind of accommodation is difficult. And it becomes all the more difficult if you are on a budget trip. But finding a hotel that will follow the basic kind of hygienic practices is super important. Make sure you prioritize a good hotel over everything else.  

Bed bugs can definitely be a real pain, but it is considerably easy to get rid of them. So, follow the instructions above and you should be good to go!