Since the months of June through October are a peak season for bed bugs and travelers, we want to offer some helpful tips to keep in mind as you travel.
As humidity increases with hot summer days and early fall approaches, the effects of weather cause bed bugs to be more active, feeding and breeding more often. In the travel industry, the months of mid-June through August are also a peak season, and shoulder seasons are April through mid-June and September through October. Because bed bugs are prone to hitchhike, heavy human travel can mean an increased problem with bed bugs.
When traveling, humans are often the mode of transportation for bed bugs. Whether taking a plane, train, or automobile, bed bugs will hitch a ride to get closer to their next meal. They can be found in a five-star hotel as well as dirt-cheap roadside motel. Basically, if they’re traveling on people, they can be anywhere people have been.
Tips for keeping pest free during travel:
Understand beg bugs may already be in your room, so make sure to thoroughly inspect the entire room before unpacking.
- Some areas to consider are: Headboard, under the light shade, inside and around dresser drawers, sofas, and chairs.
- Check the bed, pull back the sheets and inspect the mattress seams and box springs, especially the corners. If you notice something that resembles black pepper-like stains, spots, or shed bug skins. It means bed bugs are probably in your room.
- Chairs are a bed bug’s friend, and they like to hide in small cracks and crevices. Check the base boards, wallpaper, upholstery, and crevices of the furniture in the room.
- Unplug the lamps in the room to check if anything is growing around the fixture or coming out of the area where you plug in the cord. Most bugs use wall outlets as a hiding place as it is a very tight and enclosed space.
- The things that you bring into your room are just as important as what is already there. Your luggage can serve as a haven for bed bugs. Keep your suitcases and bags off the floor. If possible use a second spare bed or the stand that is typically found in the closet of your room. Now that you’ve inspected your room removing your items from the luggage is a great idea, and if you can, wrap your luggage in plastic.
After you’ve arrived home or to your next destination, inspect your suitcase before bringing it into your home or next hotel room. Once home, vacuum your suitcase before storing it away. Using a hand steamer will help kill any bed bugs or eggs left behind. Wash all your clothes in hot water.
Remember: Bed bugs travel by hitching rides. May Exterminating offers these bed bug travel tips as precautions to ensure that your room is bed-bug free before you and your love ones settle in for the night.
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