When planning a trip, bed bugs are likely the last thing on your mind. However, these tiny pests can turn a vacation into a nightmare if precautions aren’t taken. Here’s what you need to know about bed bugs, their habits, and best practices for ensuring they don’t tag along with you after your stay.

What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. These reddish-brown pests are about the size of an apple seed, making them visible to the naked eye but often hard to spot due to their flat shape, which allows them to hide in tight spaces. Bed bugs are nocturnal, typically feeding at night, and are known to hide in mattresses, box springs, headboards, and other small crevices in furniture.

What Do Bed Bugs Feed On?
Bed bugs primarily feed on the blood of humans, which they do by piercing the skin with their sharp beaks and drawing blood. Though they feed on blood, they are not known to transmit diseases. The bites can cause itching, irritation, and discomfort, though some people may not react to bites at all.

What Climates Can Bed Bugs Survive In?
Bed bugs are incredibly resilient and can survive in a wide range of climates, from temperate zones to the tropics. They prefer warmer environments but can tolerate colder temperatures, which makes them a global issue. Although they don’t thrive in extreme heat or cold, they can survive long periods without feeding, making eradication a challenge.

Are Bed Bugs Found Everywhere?
Yes, bed bugs can be found in almost every country. No matter where you’re traveling, from luxury resorts to budget accommodations, bed bugs can make their way into any lodging. Infestations can occur anywhere there’s a steady supply of human hosts, meaning they are not exclusive to specific types of properties or regions.

How to Avoid Bed Bugs When Staying at a Hotel or Resort
Here are some best practices for preventing bed bugs from coming home with you after a trip:

1. Inspect Your Room
• Upon Arrival: Don’t unpack your luggage immediately. Instead, place your suitcase in the bathroom or on a luggage rack—bed bugs are less likely to be found in tile areas or on metal racks.

• Check Key Areas: Thoroughly inspect the mattress seams, headboard, and the space between the mattress and box spring for any signs of bed bugs. Look for live bugs, small black dots (excrement), or tiny eggs and eggshells.

• Use a Flashlight: Bed bugs are excellent at hiding. Using your phone flashlight can help you inspect seams, zippers, and folds more carefully.

2. Protect Your Luggage
• Luggage Covers: Invest in a zippered, bed bug-proof cover for your suitcase. This adds an extra layer of protection while traveling.

• Keep Luggage Elevated: Store your suitcase on a luggage rack away from the bed and wall or in the bathroom. Avoid placing it directly on the floor or bed, where bed bugs are more likely to be present.

3. Limit What You Unpack
• Minimize unpacking: Avoid placing clothes in hotel drawers unless absolutely necessary. Keeping items in your suitcase and sealed in plastic bags can reduce the risk of exposure.

• Use Garment Bags: Pack clothing in large, resealable plastic bags. Only take out items as needed, and reseal the bags afterward.

4. Conduct a Post-Trip Check
• Inspect Your Luggage: Before bringing your luggage into your home, inspect it carefully. Look for any signs of bed bugs on the exterior and interior.

• Heat-Treat Your Clothes: Bed bugs cannot survive extreme heat. Immediately wash all clothing from your trip in hot water and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. This includes clothes you didn’t wear, as they could have come in contact with bed bugs during your stay.

• Vacuum Your Suitcase: Use a vacuum to thoroughly clean out your suitcase, paying attention to seams and folds where bugs might hide. If possible, store luggage in a sealed plastic bag when not in use.

5. Consider Bed Bug Detectors
• Portable Bed Bug Traps: Some travelers invest in small, portable bed bug detectors that can be placed under bed legs or in the room to help detect any signs of bed bugs during their stay.

What If You Find Bed Bugs?

If you suspect there are bed bugs in your hotel room:
• Report It Immediately: Notify hotel management and ask for a different room, preferably in a different section of the hotel.
• Change Rooms: Avoid accepting a room next door or directly above/below, as bed bugs can travel between rooms.
• Document the Problem: Take pictures or videos of any signs of bed bugs to help report the issue later if needed.

Conclusion
While bed bugs are a growing concern for travelers, taking preventative measures can help reduce the risk of bringing these pests home with you. A few extra steps—such as inspecting your room, handling luggage carefully, and heat-treating your clothes after your trip—can make a big difference in keeping your home bed-bug free. Happy, bug-free travels!

Don’t let bed bugs crash your vacation vibes! Book a free 30-minute consultation with us to learn expert tips on avoiding these pesky hitchhikers during your stay at hotels and resorts. We’ll share actionable steps and insider knowledge to keep your travel worry-free. Click here to schedule your session and travel with peace of mind!