How to Avoid Bed Bugs When Travelling – What You Need To Know

Bed bugs are the last thing you want to deal with when you’re trying to relax and enjoy your travels. These pesky critters can ruin your trip and even follow you home if you’re not careful.

But don’t worry, with a few simple precautions you will know how to avoid bed bugs when travelling, and have a stress-free vacation.

Common Misconceptions About Bed Bugs and Travel

Before we dive into the tips, let’s clear up a few common bedbug myths about travelling:

• Bed bugs only live in beds – Nope! These sneaky bugs can hide in all sorts of places like furniture, curtains, electrical sockets, and even your clothes.
• You can’t see bed bugs – False! Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed and can be spotted with the naked eye.
• Only budget hostels have bed bugs – Not true! Bed bugs can be found in all types of accommodations, even fancy hotels.

How to Avoid Bed Bugs When Travelling: Essential Tips

Now that we’ve busted those myths, let’s talk about how to actually avoid bed bugs when you’re on the road.

Here are my top tips:

• Inspect your hotel room before unpacking – As soon as you arrive, do a quick scan of your room. Look in the mattress seams, behind the headboard, and in any cracks and crevices for signs of bed bugs.
• Store your luggage away from the bed – Keep your suitcase on a luggage rack or table, not on the bed or floor.
• Use plastic bags to store your clothes – Pack your clothes in sealed plastic bags to prevent bed bugs from hitching a ride.
• Wash and dry your clothes on the hottest setting – If you suspect you’ve been exposed to bed bugs, wash and dry all your clothes on high heat as soon as you can.
• Avoid putting your clothes in the dresser drawers – Bed bugs love to hide in the cracks and crevices of furniture.
• Sleep in tight-fitting clothing – Wearing long sleeves and pants to bed makes it harder for bed bugs to bite.
• Carefully inspect your luggage before heading home – Check your suitcase thoroughly for any signs of bed bugs before packing it up.

Inspect Your Mattress When Travelling

How to Prevent Bringing Bed Bugs Home After Travelling

Even if you take all the right precautions, there’s always a chance you could still pick up a stray bed bug or two. To prevent them from following you home, do the following:

• Unpack your luggage outside or in the garage, not in your bedroom.
• Wash and dry all your clothes on high heat as soon as you get home.
• Vacuum your suitcase thoroughly and store it in a sealed plastic bag.

Inspect Accommodation: How to Avoid Bed Bugs When Travelling

Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how to do it right:

Check the Bed First

• Pull back the sheets and look for tiny brown spots, which could be bed bug droppings.
• Check the seams of the mattress and the ensemble bed base.
• Look behind the headboard and in any cracks in the bed frame.

Look Around the Room

• Bed bugs can hide in furniture, curtains, and even electrical outlets.
• Use a flashlight to inspect areas for bed bugs that are hard to see.
• Don’t forget to check the nightstands and any upholstered furniture.

Inspect Your Belongings

• Before you unpack, take a moment to check your luggage.
• Look in the seams and pockets of your bags for any signs of bed bugs.
• If you find anything, don’t panic—just seal your bag and take action.

Use Your Senses

• Bed bugs have a distinct musty smell.
• If you notice a strange odour, it might be a sign of an infestation.

Ask Questions

• Don’t hesitate to ask the hotel staff about their bed bug policies.
• A reputable place should have a plan in place for dealing with bed bugs.

Bed Bug Signs On A Mattress

What to Do If You Find Bed Bugs In Your Accommodation

If you find bed bugs while inspecting your accommodation to avoid bed bugs when travelling, here’s what to do:

Notify Management

• Tell the hotel staff immediately. They should take you seriously and move you to a different room.
• Document Everything
• Take photos of any bugs or bites you find. This can help if you need to escalate the issue.
• Consider Moving Hotels.
• If the place isn’t responsive, don’t hesitate to find a new spot.

FAQs About Avoiding Bed Bugs When Travelling

1. Can you get bed bugs from an aeroplane?
   Yes, it’s possible to pick up bed bugs on a plane, but it’s not very common. They would likely hide in the fabric of the seats.
2. How do you know if you’ve been bitten by a bed bug?
   The only way to be sure you were bitten by a bed bug is to see actual bed bugs.
3. Are bed bug bites dangerous?
   No, bed bug bites are not known to spread diseases. They’re just really annoying and itchy.

Conclusion: How to Avoid Bed Bugs When Travelling

Bed bugs are a real pain, but with a little vigilance, you can avoid them and have a bed bug-free trip. Remember to inspect your room, store your luggage properly, and wash your clothes on high heat.

If you do get bitten, don’t panic – it’s not dangerous, just really itchy. With these tips, you’ll be able to travel with confidence and peace of mind.

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If you have enjoyed our blog “how to avoid bed bugs when travelling” then you might like to read about our Bed Bug Killer Powder.

Sources:

EPA (top ten tips prevent bed bugs)

Tony Abrahams

Tony pioneered a non-toxic, eco-friendly solution for bedbug infestations. His innovation won the ABC TV show “The New Inventors” in 2009. In 2012, he successfully registered Diatomaceous Earth for bedbug control in Australia.