Planning on traveling? I hope these tips and inspection tips can help you out to prevent these hitchhikers from coming back with you.
Products That Can Help
91% grade rubbing alcohol. This is a direct kill to bed bugs. Let me note, this product is only effective when wet. That means, if you think you will protect your couch from bed bugs by spraying the whole couch with this rubbing alcohol… well, the moment it dries, a bed bug can walk all over your couch with no issues.
Steri-Fab. Same concept of the rubbing alcohol. It is only effective when wet. You can spray this product inside your purse, backpacks, shoes, toys and such to kill off any live hitchhikers.
Safety Measures
- At hotels, pull back the sheets and inspect the mattress seams, particularly at the corners, for telltale stains or spots. If you see anything suspect, notify management and change rooms/establishments immediately.
- Thoroughly inspect the entire room before unpacking, including behind the headboard and in sofas/chairs. If any pests are spotted, change rooms/establishments immediately.
- If you do need to change rooms, be sure that you do not move to a room adjacent and/or directly above/below the suspected infestation. Bed bugs can easily hitchhike via housekeeping carts, luggage and even through wall sockets. If an infestation is spreading, it typically does so in the rooms closest to the origin.
- Consider placing your suitcase in a plastic trash bag or protective cover during the duration of your trip to ensure that bed bugs cannot take up residence there prior to departure.
- Remember: bed bugs travel by hitching rides. After your trip, inspect your suitcases before bringing them into the house. Vacuum your suitcase thoroughly before storing away. Consider using a garment hand steamer to steam your luggage, which will kill any bed bugs or eggs that may have hitched a ride home.
- Wash all of your clothes – even those that have not been worn – in hot water to ensure that any bed bugs that may have made it that far are not placed into your drawers/closet.