If you find the thought of sharing a bed with a bug to be repulsive, then you need to take care when traveling. Because odds are, if you're going to encounter bedbugs, that's the most likely way to do so. Be it a weekend getaway, a long planned vacation or Spring Break, you may come face to face with these pesky creatures unless you are careful. So let's explore some rules of the road for safe traveling bed bug
style.
Part of the problem is when you check into the hotel or motel, time share or whatever, you're probably going to be tired. And the last thing you want to do is to run a bed, err bedbug, check. But ignore that step at your peril. So upon entering the room here's the protocol you want to follow.
The minute you enter your hotel room don't immediately flop onto the bed.
Nor should you just toss your luggage on the bed or on the floor. That's right, keep all luggage off the carpeted floor. You really can't even set it on the upholstered chairs or sofa that beckon either. Simply wouldn't be wise. You see, bed bugs could be lurking not only under the beds and sofas but they could also be loitering hidden in the carpet fibers around the bed.
The trick is to keep your bags elevated and away from the wall. Probably putting them on any luggage rack provided is safe - after you have checked it to see if any bugs are lurking in the strapping.
Otherwise put your bags in the middle of the tiled floor of the bathroom. This way you can easily see if there are any bed bugs crawling around. Which is doubtful in the bathroom.
Or leave them out in the hall with your kids in charge of watching them.
Better yet leave them in the car until you've cleared the room.
Next check for any signs of bed bug activity such as bed bug eggs, adult bugs, red tiny spots on the bed sheets, dark flecks which could be fecal matter, or any discarded exoskeletons of bed bugs. This is where having a small flashlight can come in handy.
To check for these start by pulling up the bed sheets. Inspect the mattress for any of these signs while taking a close look at the seams and folds. Don't miss checking the mattress tag too. Bed bugs could be hiding under that. Check on the headboards and box springs. Next, inspect the night stand, wall, cracks and crevices as well as other stuff around the room including the dresser, inside drawers, the underside of sofas, closets, behind picture frames, and in or around other knickknacks inside the hotel room.
If indeed you found any signs of these bloodsucking bugs, immediately report the incident to the hotel management so you can request a room change far from the infested one. Still you can't be too sure if the new room they're giving you is bed bug free. So you need to start with the whole inspection thing all over again.
And even if you didn't find any bed bugs, still this doesn't guarantee the absence of these filthy creatures. So stay vigilant. Do not leave your clothing lying on the bed or on the floor. All used clothing immediately goes into the laundry bag you brought for that purpose. Close your luggage after using it and be sure to re-seal the bags every time you take out your clothes or gadgets.
Of course you're still going to want to take care with your things when signing out. Here again give everything the once over. You want to inspect your luggage carefully. Make sure there are no bed bugs hiding inside. You want to go so far as to check your shoes too before slipping them on as you leave the room.
But the diligence routine doesn't stop there. I know. Lots of diligence here. But you really can't be too careful. You still want to be cautious when you get home. This is the last step to insure that no bed bugs have slipped under your radar.
So before you enter the house, check your luggage again and look for any bed bug signs. Do the unpacking outside the house preferably in the garage. Then immediately wash all your clothes with hot water and toss them into the dryer afterwards.
Finally before you store the luggage in the closet, it's better if you vacuum it first. The truly cautious will treat it with diatomaceous earth to make sure no bed bugs are left breathing. Or wash it too if that's possible.
Traveling isn't the carefree experience it used to be, that's for sure. But this is truly a case where you want to be safe than sorry.
Otherwise you'll learn first hand how tough it is to get rid of bed bugs from your home.
Ever checked out the bedbug registry before booking a motel? Do you wonder how badly bed bug bites itch? Sounds like you need to visit the popular bedbug site http://www.bedbugbedlum.com/. There you can find more tips like these that can keep your home from being infested with unsavory bedbugs.
Protect against Bed Bugs...
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