It’s been a long year of staying put, and everyone is ready to get back out and see something besides their own living rooms again. Whether it’s a short weekend getaway to the mountains or a weeks-long bacchanal at the beach, pent-up demand is sending folks out of town in droves. As we remember just how fun and refreshing a change of scenery can be, it’s important that we don’t bring home more than just souvenirs.
I refer, of course, to bed bugs, the menace of sleepers everywhere. Read on to learn what to look out for as you travel this summer, as well as Terminix’s top tips for minimizing your risk when staying someplace new.
Things that Go Bump in the Night?
Despite their name, bed bugs can appear anywhere in a house, not just the sleeping quarters. Bed bugs can be found on any type of furniture, from armchairs to armoires. Common hideouts include the folds of curtains, underneath rugs, beneath loose wallpaper, and even inside electronics.
In hotel rooms, there’s no shortage of likely hideaways. Even so, the majority of a bed bug population will congregate in and around the bed itself. Checking the seams of the mattress, the box spring, and the headboard is always a good idea. Be on the lookout for the apple-seed-sized adults, as well as black spots or shed casings in the absence of the insects themselves.
If you find or suspect bed bugs, don’t stay there!
Terminix’s Top Tips
Worrying about pests is probably the last thing you want to do on vacation. How can anyone enjoy some R&R if they’re constantly on alert for insects? Luckily, there are a few quick, simple things you can do right when you arrive at your destination and right after you get back to reduce the chance of bed bugs dramatically.
Here are a few things you should always do when traveling:
- Check the bed! The first thing you should always do when checking into a hotel or vacation rental is check the area for signs of bed bugs.
- Don’t leave bags on the ground. Bed bugs lurking in the carpet can easily migrate to bags and suitcases placed on the ground. We strongly recommend using the luggage rack when available.
- Wash and dry ASAP. Immediately after returning home, wash clothes and tumble dry on high heat—heat is the surest way to manage bed bugs.
- Treat your luggage. Before bringing them back in the house, vacuum suitcases and any other items that you brought with you, then toss the vacuum bag in an outside trash can.
It Could Happen Here
Even the cleanest, tidiest, most cautious individuals can find their homes beset by bed bugs. It doesn’t mean you’ve been negligent, they’re just an especially pernicious pest. You can do everything right and bed bugs will still outmaneuver you. Fortunately, treatment options are available, and they’re relatively straightforward.
That being said, you DO need to turn to experts like the technicians at Terminix—bed bug removal is simply not feasible for the average individual. Terminix offers different treatment solutions for bed bugs depending on the situation, including traditional treatments, non-chemical heat treatments, and biological spore applications.
Reclaiming Your Home
Calling Terminix is the quickest way to get rid of bed bugs. Our technicians are highly-trained in the various methods of treatments available. After assessing the infestation and environment, we’ll find the one that will ensure the deaths of every bed bug adult, nymph, and egg.
A bed bug free future is only a phone call away!