Don’t Bring Bed Bugs Home With You!
‘Tis the season for summer vacations, and millions of people across New England are planning their annual trips. Other than a painful sunburn or some lost luggage, summer vacations are supposed to be a time for fun and relaxation. But nothing can throw a wrench in your summer fun quite like coming home and realizing that bed bugs have hitch-hiked a ride home with you!
Bed bugs multiply quickly and can be difficult to eliminate, so it’s important for people to have some prevention tips in mind before traveling this summer. Luckily, we’ve got some tips on how to avoid bringing home any bed bugs after vacation.
What Should You Do When You Get to the Hotel?
- When you first get into your room, place your luggage in the bathroom. This is where bed bugs are least likely to hide. Don’t put luggage on the bed until after you’ve inspected it!
- Inspect the bed by pulling back the sheets and checking the mattress seams, especially at the corners. Look for tiny, pepper-like stains– this is the excrement. Adult bed bugs resemble reddish flat appleseeds. Baby bed bugs may be lighter in color and tinier versions of the larger adults.
- If the bed looks suspect and your not sure if you should be staying in it, you can also check along the headboard, inside any couch or around chair cushions and behind any paintings.
- If you see anything suspect, notify management immediately and ask for a room change, or consider moving to another establishment.
- If it’s been a long days ride and/or this is the only hotel/motel available, consider storing your suitcase and clothing inside sealable plastic bags for the duration of your stay.
What Should You Do When You Get Home?
- Thoroughly inspect your luggage before bringing it into the house. Ignore any funny looks from the neighbors– it’s better to be safe than sorry!
- Consider vacuuming your suitcases, including the outer seams, before storing them away.
- Consider washing all the clothes you brought–even those that haven’t been worn–in hottest recommended water to ensure any bed bugs won’t make it into your closet.
In addition to the pepper-like stains, another tell-tale sign of bed bugs is itchy red welts on your skin. If you see either of these, there’s a good chance you brought home some bloodsucking souvenirs from your summer vacation.
As always, if you suspect you have an infestation of bed bugs after vacation, give Graduate a call today.
