Connor's-Tips: Beware of bed Bugs - 9 Travel Tips

Until recently, you may have thought bed bugs were just a myth. We’ve all heard the old nursery rhyme, “Sleep tight; don’t let the bed bugs bite.” We wish we could tell you that it was only a rhyme or a myth, but bed bugs are in the news almost daily now for a reason. Bed bugs have recently experienced a resurgence and have become a real nuisance for hotels, college dorms, cruise ships, hospitals, nursing homes, homes and apartments. They’ve even been found on public transportation, such as busses, commuter trains and airplanes. And, they’ve been found in every class of hotel from the shady to the most luxurious. (They are often found in resort areas frequented by tourists.)

Adult bed bugs are very small, about the size of a tick. In fact, they are often mistaken for ticks or small cockroaches, so we do not always get a call for an infestation as soon as we might like. It is important to call a pest professional right away if you suspect bed bugs so that we can begin treatment immediately. Bed bugs are quite prolific and multiply rapidly. A bed bug infestation requires the assistance of a pest professional and is not something a homeowner can rid on their own. That’s why you have us. We have been specially trained to inspect a room thoroughly for the presence of bed bugs and to target treat the sites where they are located.

If there is any good news about bed bugs, it is this. To date, there has been no disease transmission concerns associated with the blood feeding nature of the bed bug. Some people have reactions to the saliva of the bite of the bed bug, not unlike a bee sting or spider bite reaction. Ofcourse, knowing something is feeding upon you at night does not help one sleep better. If you should have any questions about bed bugs, please feel free to call us, your pest professionals.

Once established in a home, bed bugs are difficult to remove. Treatments can be time, labor and material intensive to truly rid the home of all bed bugs present. The best offense is a strong defense. When you travel, keep these pointers in mind to reduce the risk of your bringing bed bugs home with you:

• 1When checking into a hotel, inspect your room thoroughly for bed bugs. Look closely for them (or their signs: blood spots) in or behind the headboard of the bed, over the bed, in, on or behind the picture hanging above the bed board, in the seams of the mattress and box springs. (Bed bugs feed upon human blood at night and are somewhat messy leaving obvious stains behind.)
• 2Inspect the valet stand or luggage rack thoroughly around the fabric seams to see that there are no bed bugs; after passing your inspection, place your suitcase on the stand and keep it there the entire visit; do not let the suitcase sit on the floor.
• 3Move your bed away from the wall of the room, and do not let linens touch the floor.
• 4Check the hangers and rack in the closet before hanging your clothes there.
• 5Check nightstands and dresser drawers before placing personal items on or inside.
• 6If you should find bed bugs present, please alert the hotel management that this is the case and that you would like to be moved to another room. Only by informing the management of the bed bugs
• 7can they begin to tackle their problem. Hotels are now very up on this issue and will work with you to make your stay pleasant.
• 8When you return home, unload your suitcase in the garage or out on the porch or patio. Check your suitcase and other luggage thoroughly (inside and out) for any signs of bed bug hitchhikers that may have come with you.
• 9If you should accidentally bring bed bugs home with you, contact us immediately to help rid your home of them.