A vacation should be a time of relaxation and enjoyment, so you will do everything you can to ensure that everything goes to plan. Unfortunately, while you may have your eye on the bigger picture, there are a lot of smaller things that can conspire to ruin your fun.Today, we are going to give you some advice on how to avoid bed bugs and other pests while traveling on vacation.
Bed bugs and other parasites and pests can be a nightmare if you encounter them on your travels. You might think staying in top-class hotels, being careful when packing your cases, and keeping to the tourist areas of the beach will keep you safe…but you’d be wrong.
Bed Bugs and Parasites are Everywhere
Bed bugs is a misleading name for these parasites – they enjoy being in beds but like to travel as much as you do. Parasites, by definition, need another organism to thrive and survive and so will often take a ride on an unsuspecting animal (including humans) or even inanimate objects such as suitcases.
Always inspect any hotel or vacation rental prior to unpacking your luggage.
You can help to avoid bed bugs by using a luggage rack to unpack your cases (after checking the luggage rack is clear of any unwanted guests – don’t bring your case in until you are sure) but don’t forget to pack them again in the same way. You could quite easily bring travelling bed bugs back home with you if you aren’t careful.
Thoroughly check your accommodation by giving the bed the once-over, looking for any damage to the frame or dark spots on the sheets and mattress. Check all the soft furnishings as well as electrical sockets and picture frames, and don’t be afraid to use a torch.
… Even at the Beach
Great! Your room is clear, so there’s nothing to worry about, right? Wrong!
Parasites, mites, and other bugs can travel on animals, and be transferred from animals to plants and trees. They don’t even have to be furry animals – lizards can carry parasites, as can birds. You might be sitting under a shady tree near the beach, admiring the local wildlife. Meanwhile, the parasites are attaching themselves to your clothes without you even noticing.
What to do if you travel home with bed bugs
Unpack everything directly into the washer and vacuum your luggage. Empty the vacuum outside of your home. Wash everything and dry on a high temperature to kill any bugs.
If you still have your suspicions, it’s time to call in the professionals. We always recommend working with pest professionals that utilize bed beg sniffing dogs as they can find, or smell, bed bugs even when you can’t see them. Erdye’s Pest Control is proud to offer Free bed bug inspections. All you have to do is simply call us at (920) 455-0373 and we will be happy to answer any questions you might have.