How To Prevent Bed Bugs From Spreading During Holiday Travel
Bed bugs have re-surged to become a very real problem in today’s world. Most people don’t know that bed bugs had a three decade vacation due to widespread treatments. However, the bugs have now found ample opportunity to increase in numbers and spread through multiple continents. The recent growth is primarily a result of increased travel. Bed bugs are traditionally found in high traffic areas such as hotels so the increase in travel has allowed the pests to take their own vacation once the frequent traveler heads back home. Learn how bed bugs can enter a home and learn how the infestation can be prevented using the following tips.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are parasites that feed on the blood of people, using blood meals to grow and reproduce. They do not distinguish between dirty or clean homes and all people are vulnerable to infestations in their homes. They are also capable of feeding on animals, including all domestic pets. Bite responses can range from an absence of any physical signs of the bite to a serious allergic reaction. They are not considered to be dangerous; however, an allergic reaction to several bites may need medical attention.
Tips To Eliminate Bed Bug Infestations
Wash & Dry Clothing Immediately. Do not wait to wash travel clothes after a vacation or work trip. The pests can move quickly so perform laundry services immediately upon arriving back home. Clothes laundered in hot water or dried in temperatures hotter than 122° F for twenty minutes will kill all stages of the pests. This is typically the medium-high setting for a washing machine.
Wash All Food Containers. If traveling with plastic food containers, wash the containers before leaving the hotel. If washing the containers is impossible, make sure to wash them when arriving back home. The extreme temperatures inside a dishwasher will kill all bed bugs.
Avoid The Hotel Floor.Try to avoid using the hotel floor for storage. Carpets in public places are breeding grounds for the pests so it may be a good idea to place plastic linings beneath luggage if forced to use the hotel floor. The hotel luggage stand can serve as great protection against any type of infestation.
Inspect The Mattress and Boxspring. There’s no better environment for a bed bug than a hotel mattress or boxspring. Many hotels have started using mattress encasements so do not tamper with the encasement if present. If no encasement is present, it’s a good idea to conduct a thorough inspection. Bed bugs can be difficult to spot but can be identified by the naked eye. They prefer to reside in tight spaces and they are extremely dark in color. Look for corners and tight spaces for the dark remnants of the bugs.
Call A Professional Maid Service and Pest Control Company. It’s never a bad idea to receive a thorough cleaning of a home after returning from a trip. Most professional cleaning companies can disinfect a home and the deep cleaning will remove most of the remnants of the pests. If more action is required, call a pest control company to spray the home.
Bed bugs can be difficult to contain once they are allowed to roam freely. So, it’s best to utilize prevention techniques because more difficult techniques are required once they are allowed to build a presence inside a home.