Protecting Your Belongings And Yourself From Bedbugs When Traveling
Posted on: 27 January 2017
If you are going to be traveling and plan on staying in a hotel, you may be a bit worried about the prospect of bed bugs being present within your allotted space. Since hotel rooms are used by many different people, there is always a chance that these pests are lurking on the box spring, mattress, bed frame, or carpeting. It is important to take some precautionary steps when traveling in an attempt to keep your personal belongings (and yourself) from becoming a victim to a bedbug problem. Here are some tips you can use when a hotel stay is necessary.
Check Out The Room In Advance Of Your Stay
Before you rent your hotel room, politely ask the front desk staff member if you could look at the room to make sure it meets your requirements. You can pretend you need to see how much space is available if you wish. When you get inside of the room, take a look at the bed for any telltale signs of a bedbug infestation. This would include rust-colored spots (dried blood) or small, flat brown insects on the mattress or box spring. If either of these are noticed, decline taking the room and consider going to another establishment.
Keep Your Belongings Raised And In Your Suitcase
Instead of taking your clothing and other items out of your suitcase to put inside of a dresser, it is best to keep them safely inside where they are not at risk of the exposure to bed bugs. Place your suitcase on top of a dresser or a suitcase rack. This will keep your items away from the bed and the carpeting where bedbugs are more likely to be lurking. Place a clean towel on the piece of furniture to help protect your suitcase before setting it on top of it. After you wear something, place it in a plastic bag and put it back inside your suitcase to bring home for laundering. Plan to bring a garbage bag with you when you travel for this purpose.
Unpack Your Items Outdoors When You Get Home
Do not bring your suitcase into your home when you get back from your trip. Instead, bring a garbage bag outdoors to place any loose clothing inside. Bring contained clothing directly to your washing machine. Wash all items, clean and dirty, on the hottest temperature setting as this will help kill any bed bugs if they are present on these items. Place your empty suitcase inside of another garbage bag and tie it shut. Keep the suitcase in this bag for a few weeks. If bed bugs were present on your suitcase, they would die from the lack of air.
If you've found bed bugs in your home after a vacation, contact a company like Arab Termite and Pest Control for help.
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