Bed Bugs
Bed bugs do not have wings and therefore cannot fly; However, that doesn’t stop them from traveling near and far with its excellent hitchhiking abilities – often hiding in suitcases, boxes and shoes. Bed bugs are known as excellent travelers because of their ability to survive in temporary habitats, such as backpacks and personal luggage, as well as under the seats of cars, buses, and trains. Bed bugs do not have wings and therefore cannot fly; However, that doesn’t stop them from traveling near and far with its excellent hitchhiking abilities – often hiding in suitcases, boxes and shoes. Bed bugs are known as excellent travelers because of their ability to survive in temporary habitats, such as backpacks and personal luggage, as well as under the seats of cars, buses, and trains.
Follow these steps to avoid bringingbed bugshome from vacation this summer
The summer holidays are near and after a long Corona limited condition, it is again free to travel. But before the fun in the sun can begin, it’s important to be aware of a pest you don’t want to hide in your luggage on your return trip – bed bugs. Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers, which means that if you’re not careful, good memories and tan might not be the only ones you bring home from summer vacation.
How do bed bugs “hitchhike”?
Bed bugs do not have wings and therefore cannot fly; However, that doesn’t stop them from traveling near and far with its excellent hitchhiking abilities – often hiding in suitcases, boxes and shoes. Bed bugs are known as excellent travelers because of their ability to survive in temporary habitats, such as backpacks and personal luggage, as well as under the seats of cars, buses, and trains.
Although bed bugs are typically found in bed parts such as mattresses and springs, they can also hide behind skirting boards, wallpaper, upholstery, picture frames, electric switch covers and in furniture crevices – so they’re not always easy to spot.
Most travelers expect bed bugs to be just a problem in hotels. However, statistics show that these pests are even more widespread in home and apartment buildings. Travelers who choose to book accommodation through other types of services should also be on the lookout for bed bugs. No matter where you live, follow these bed bug prevention tips to ensure worry-free holiday travel:
When you arrive at your destination:
- Inspect the entire room thoroughly before unpacking, including behind the headboard, under lights and inside dressers, drawers, sofas and chairs.
- Retract the sheets and inspect the mattress seams and box feathers, especially in the corners, for small dark spots, live insects or bedbug skins.
- Place suitcases away from the bed, preferably in the bathroom or up on a chest of drawers or similar during the duration of the trip to ensure that bed bugs do not move up into the suitcase.
- The safest place is in the bathroom in the middle of a tile floor or on a luggage rack after it has been thoroughly inspected.
If you suspect that your room is infected, notify management and ask to change rooms immediately. Be sure to avoid rooms next to and above/during the suspected attack, as bed bugs can easily move and spread via cleaning carts, luggage, and even through electrical outlets.
When you get home
- Inspect your suitcases outdoors before bringing them into the house.
- Vacuum your suitcase thoroughly before storing it. A hand steamer for garments is preferable because it can kill bed bugs or eggs that may have traveled with you home.
- Wash and dry all your clothes – even those that haven’t been used – Dryers kill bed bugs at every stage.
After the trip, if you unpack and suspect you may have brought bed bugs home, contact alicensed pest control officeras soon as possible. When bed bugs enter a household, they will quickly establish themselves,bed bugs are extremely difficult to get rid of.