A lot of people have a stereotype that bed bugs exist only in sleazy motels. Sure, that’s one way of getting them. But the fact is, you can get bed bugs by staying in any hotel, motel or inn -- even four-star ones. Why? Because travelers unknowingly bring them in along with their luggage, clothing or other items they carry. Hotels that conduct a high volume of business can be especially susceptible to having bed bugs. And people who travel a lot can be vulnerable to having bed bugs as traveling companions.
How to Avoid Bed Bugs as Traveling Companions
Once you bring them into your home, bed bugs are difficult to get rid of. You can avoid bringing bed bugs home, though, by following a few simple guidelines:
1. Check Your Prospective Hotel Online
Bed bugs were on the point of being extinct in the United States, but have since made a comeback. And because bed bugs have become such a problem, travelers have been commenting about their bed bug experiences online. Special websites even exist where you can identify the hotels in which you stayed that had them.
So research your prospective hotel to see if anyone has reported bed bug problems there. However, just because you find a report that the hotel had bed bugs doesn’t mean the problem still exists. The management might already have eliminated the bed bugs.
2. Know What Bed Bugs Look Like
Bed bugs are nocturnal insects that feed on the blood of people and other warm-blooded animals. You can see bed bugs easily. A fully grown one is around ¼-inch long -- roughly the size of an apple seed -- and resembles a flat oval. Bed bugs that haven’t eaten look rusty-red; bed bugs that have eaten look brighter red.
3. Check Your Hotel Room for Bed Bugs
As soon as you get in your hotel room, check for bed bugs. You should look for:
- Live crawling bed bugs -- If you disturb live bed bugs, they’ll scurry for dark places.
- Discarded bed bug skins -- Bed bugs shed their skins. So look for discarded skins. Seeing them, though, doesn’t mean management hasn’t already eliminated the bed bugs. The skins merely indicate that bed bugs were in the room once, but also might still be there.
- Droppings -- Look for small dark specks that could be bed bug droppings.
- Specks of blood -- Look for specks of blood on sheets and pillow cases that indicate bed bugs fed on previous guests.
Bed bugs like to hang out in certain places on or near the bed, so be sure to examine the sheets and pillows. Pull back the sheets and check the mattress, especially the seams, and behind the mattress tag. Also look under the mattress pad. Finally, examine the inside edges of the drawers of the night tables, along the wall boards, and behind picture frames.
How to Avoid Taking Bed Bugs Home with You
Even if you find bed bugs in your room, you can avoid taking them home with you by doing three things:
- First, leave your luggage in the entryway until after you do your bed bug check.
- Second, bed bugs can be on the floor. So keep your luggage, clothes and shoes off the floor -- preferably on the luggage stand.
- Third, inspect your clothes and other items carefully for bed bugs when you re-pack your suitcase to leave.
What to Do If You Discover Bed Bugs
If you discover bed bugs, change rooms. Remember, though, that the new room might have bed bugs, too. So perform a bed bug check in that room as well. Also, tell the management about the bed bugs – they won’t want them around either. After all, bed bugs are bad for business. If they don’t offer, ask them to wash and dry your clothing. You might even be able to get a discount on the room as well.