Bringing bed bugs home after travelling can be a nightmare. These tiny pests are expert hitchhikers, easily attaching themselves to your luggage, clothing, and shoes. Once they’re in your home, they can quickly spread, making it crucial to take preventive measures both during and after your trip. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to avoid bringing bed bugs home with you:
1. Inspect Your Hotel Room Thoroughly
Before unpacking, take a few minutes to inspect your hotel room for signs of bed bugs. They can be found even in the cleanest and most luxurious hotels, so always check the following areas:
- Mattresses and Box Springs: Pull back the sheets and inspect the seams, edges, and headboards. Look for small reddish-brown spots, which could be bed bug feces, or tiny eggs.
- Furniture: Check upholstered furniture like chairs, couches, and the headboard. Bed bugs often hide in crevices, seams, and any tight spaces.
- Outlets and Picture Frames: Bed bugs can hide behind electrical outlets and in wall cracks or behind artwork. If possible, lift picture frames off the wall to inspect for any signs of infestation.
Pro tip: Bed bugs leave behind a musty, sweet odor. If you notice this smell, alert the hotel staff immediately.
2. Keep Your Luggage Elevated
Once you’ve checked the room and it’s clear, avoid placing your luggage on the bed or the floor. Instead, use the hotel’s luggage rack, but first, make sure to inspect the rack itself for any signs of bed bugs. Place the rack away from walls to prevent bed bugs from crawling onto your luggage. Alternatively, you can use hard, smooth surfaces like countertops or bathroom floors, as bed bugs are less likely to infest these areas.
3. Use Protective Luggage Covers
Consider using a bed-bug-proof luggage cover for your suitcase. These covers act as an extra barrier between your belongings and potential bed bugs. They are especially helpful when you’re placing your luggage on the floor or stowing it in overhead compartments on planes or trains.
4. Quarantine Your Luggage Upon Returning Home
When you return home, resist the urge to bring your luggage directly into your bedroom or living space. Instead, keep it in a garage, laundry room, or an outdoor area while you inspect it. Here’s what you should do:
- Inspect Luggage Inside and Out: Use a flashlight to carefully check the seams, zippers, and pockets of your luggage for bed bugs. Bed bugs are tiny, so you might want to use a magnifying glass to be thorough.
- Vacuum Your Suitcase: Use a vacuum with a crevice tool to thoroughly clean your suitcase, paying close attention to zippers and corners. Dispose of the vacuum bag or contents immediately to prevent any bugs from escaping.
5. Wash and Dry Your Clothes Immediately
Bed bugs are sensitive to high heat, so washing and drying your clothes on high heat is one of the most effective ways to kill them. As soon as you return home:
- Wash Everything in Hot Water: Even if you didn’t wear all the clothes you packed, wash every item in hot water.
- Dry on High Heat: After washing, place your clothing in the dryer on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes. The heat will kill any bed bugs or eggs that may have come into contact with your clothing.
6. Store Dirty Clothes in Sealed Bags During Travel
Bed bugs are attracted to the smell of human sweat and body odor, so dirty laundry can be especially appealing to them. Keep your dirty clothes in a sealed plastic bag or laundry bag during your trip. This reduces the risk of bed bugs being attracted to your clothes and hitching a ride back home with you.
7. Inspect Shoes and Other Items
Clothes aren’t the only things bed bugs latch onto. They can also attach themselves to shoes, hats, and other personal items. Inspect these items carefully, paying special attention to seams and crevices. For shoes, consider placing them in a sealed plastic bag when not in use during your trip.
Bed bugs are resilient pests that can easily spread from one location to another, but with proper precautions, you can reduce the chances of bringing them home after a trip. Always inspect your hotel room, keep your luggage elevated, and be diligent about cleaning and inspecting your belongings after travelling. By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to travel without worrying about bed bugs hitching a ride back home.