Summer Bed Bug Travel Pointers

bed bug on sheet
August 8, 2015
Fred Wingate

Summer is a great time for families to take a trip together – the ocean, the mountains, maybe even a cruise!  It’s hard to believe but this time of year is right around the corner and you may already have booked, or may be in the planning stages of these trips now.  These summer getaways are a great way to connect with family, recharge the batteries, and have a lot of fun.  Generally, the only worries on these kinds of trips are hotel availability, dinner reservations and activity planning.  One thing most families don’t think about during these trips are the dangers of bed bugs.  Bed bugs are a reality, and they do not only haunt the halls of lower end hotels and motels.  Bed Bugs can be found in the highest quality, and highest priced locations so being aware of the risks and what to look for are key to protecting yourself and your family.

Here are 12 of our best tips so you can sleep tight and “not let the bedbugs bite”

    1. Keep your luggage in the bathroom
    2. If your luggage is in the room, keep it off the ground
    3. Plastic bags over luggage (this helps reduce the risk of someone else’s infested luggage infesting yours)
    4. Inspect the bed (look at the corners of mattresses, the mattress cover, and behind the headboard)
    5. Inspect the room itself (check out lamp shades on tables next to the bed, behind any pictures hung on walls near the bed and any other objects close to the bed)
    6. Know what you are looking for (fecal matter, blood smears, shed exoskeletons and the actual insect
    7. Teach kids the basics (Having a second set of eyes in your kids can be a helpful way to identify a problem and also keeps them safe if they are traveling with friends)
    8. Move 2 floors (if you find an issue in your room, make sure the hotel moves you 2 floors from the problem)
    9. Before your trip ask the hotel about bed bug prevention plans
    10. Read reviews (see if the hotel you are stay at has had a bed bug issue in the past)
    11. Have a post vacation plan (store your luggage in the garage and unpack all clothing and launder it right away.  Place luggage into a trash bag with the appropriate sized pest strip and make sure it is airtight.  Leave it in the garage for 14 days or as long as possible.  Upon opening the bags, make sure the garage door is open and left open for ventilation purposes.  Follow all label instructions on the pest strips.
    12. Call a professional if you bring a bed bug problem home

This doesn’t mean that every hotel in America is infested with bedbugs by any means.  What it does mean is that vigilance when it comes to your family’s safety can pay off.  So be aware when you travel that bed bugs can be a risk at any hotel you check in to, and that when you return home you may be bringing unwanted bed bug friends home with you.  If you think this may have happened to you, please call a professional.  Bed bugs require professional inspection and treatment and Noosa is here to solve your bed bug problems!

Fred Oct2023

Fred Wingate

Chief Bugman

Fred Wingate is the dedicated Owner and Chief Bugman at Noosa Pest Management, a thriving pest control company in Charlotte, NC. He established the company in 2006 with a vision to provide exceptional pest management services to the local community. By staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in pest management and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, he ensures that Noosa Pest remains at the forefront of the industry.

Not only is Fred deeply invested in the well-being and satisfaction of his clientele, he is also passionate about supporting the local community, including schools, churches, and other organizations. The future of our community is important to Noosa Pest, and proudly contributes to its growth and prosperity.

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