How to Prevent Bed Bugs While Traveling

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Traveling is full of excitement, but the last thing you want is to encounter bed bugs along the way. These tiny critters love to feast on human blood and can sneak into your luggage, clothes, or belongings without you even noticing. 

Dealing with them can make your trip a real nightmare, not to mention the risk of bringing them home with you and starting an infestation. Alongside college students and second-hand shoppers, travelers are among the groups most at risk of encountering bed bugs.

But don’t worry. If you’re wondering “how to avoid bed bugs while traveling?” there are simple steps you can take to keep bed bugs at bay and enjoy a pest-free journey.

Avoiding Bed Bugs in Hotels

Hotels, while convenient and luxurious, are one of the most common places to encounter bed bugs. With a constant influx of travelers, these pests can easily hitch a ride on luggage, clothing, and personal items, making hotels a hotspot for infestations. 

Unfortunately, even the cleanest hotels are not immune, as bed bugs are not attracted to dirt but to people. Here are five signs to look out for

• Reddish-Brown Stains on Sheets: Bed bugs leave behind small blood stains on bedding after feeding. Look for tiny reddish-brown spots on sheets, pillowcases, and mattress covers, especially along seams and edges.
• Tiny Dark Spots: Bed bug fecal matter appears as small dark spots or smears on bedding, furniture, or walls. These spots may resemble pepper flakes and are often found in clusters near areas where bed bugs hide.
• Musty Odor: A strong, musty odor may be present in areas with a significant bed bug infestation. This odor is caused by the pheromones released by bed bugs and can be a telltale sign of their presence.
• Live Bed Bugs: Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed and are reddish-brown in color. Look for live bugs crawling on bedding, furniture, or walls, particularly in cracks and crevices where they hide during the day.
• Skin Sheds and Eggshells: Bed bugs molt as they grow, leaving behind translucent skin sheds and empty eggshells. These can often be found near their hiding spots, such as mattress seams, headboards, or baseboards.

If you spot signs of bed bugs during your inspection, report the issue to hotel staff immediately and request a new room—preferably in a different part of the hotel, as bed bugs can easily spread between adjacent rooms. And if you’ve already unpacked, consider heat-treating your luggage and clothing to kill any potential hitchhikers.

By taking these precautions, you can reduce your risk of bringing bed bugs home and enjoy a safer, pest-free stay at your hotel. Learn more about identifying bed bugs in our Signs of Bed Bugs page.

Avoiding Bed Bugs in Airports & On Flights

Bed bugs are surprisingly common in flights and airports, given the high volume of travelers and close proximity of seating. Airports see luggage and personal items from countless destinations, increasing the chance of bed bugs hitching a ride. On flights, the close quarters and shared seating create opportunities for these pests to spread. 

To protect yourself, inspect your bags thoroughly after passing through these areas, use hard-shell luggage to minimize hiding spots, and consider sealing clothes in plastic bags while traveling. 

Staying vigilant in airports and flights can significantly reduce the risk of bringing bed bugs back home with you.

Protecting Luggage From Bed Bugs

Your luggage is one of the most vulnerable items to bed bug infestation while traveling. To minimize this risk, consider the following preventative measures:

• Use Hard-Cased Luggage: Bed bugs find it much harder to cling to smooth, hard surfaces than to fabric. Opt for a sturdy, hard-sided suitcase over traditional fabric luggage to reduce the chances of hitchhiking pests.
• Pack Clothing in Plastic Bags: Seal your clothes in individual plastic bags or vacuum-sealed containers. This adds a protective barrier that prevents bed bugs from sneaking into your belongings.
• Keep Luggage Elevated: At airports or hotels, avoid placing your suitcase on the floor or bed. Use luggage racks or elevated surfaces to minimize contact with potential bed bug-hiding spots.
• Inspect Crevices Regularly: Periodically check the seams, zippers, and corners of your luggage for any signs of bed bugs, such as shells, eggs, or reddish-brown stains. Use a flashlight to spot these hidden pests effectively.
• Use Protective Covers: Enclose your suitcase in a protective cover or plastic wrap for an added layer of defense.

By taking these precautions, you can reduce the risk of bringing bed bugs home with you from your travels. A little extra effort to safeguard your luggage can save you the hassle and cost of dealing with a full-blown infestation later.

How to Prevent Bed Bugs After Traveling 

Unpacking after a trip may seem routine, but taking a few extra precautions can help prevent a bed bug infestation from following you home. Bed bugs are experts at hiding in luggage and clothing, making it crucial to inspect and clean your belongings thoroughly after traveling. 

Here’s how you can unpack safely and keep your home as bed bug-safe as possible::

• Inspect Your Luggage: Before bringing your luggage inside your home, thoroughly inspect it for any signs of bed bugs. Check seams, pockets, and crevices where bed bugs might hide. If you suspect bed bugs, leave your luggage outside or in a garage until it can be properly treated.
• Unpack Outside or in a Controlled Area: If possible, unpack your luggage outside or in a designated area away from living spaces, such as a garage or laundry room. Avoid unpacking on upholstered furniture or carpeted areas where bed bugs can easily hide.
• Wash Clothes and Bedding Immediately: Wash all clothing, bedding, and linens from your trip in hot water and dry them on the highest heat setting. This will kill any bed bugs or eggs that may have hitchhiked home with you. Consider washing items separately from your regular laundry to prevent cross-contamination.
• Vacuum Luggage and Belongings: Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to thoroughly vacuum the interior and exterior of your luggage. Pay close attention to seams, pockets, and folds where bed bugs may hide. After vacuuming, dispose of the vacuum bag or empty the canister contents into a sealed plastic bag outside of your home.
• Monitor for Signs of Infestation: Stay vigilant for signs of bed bug activity in your home, such as bites on your skin, blood stains on bedding, or small dark spots on furniture. If you suspect a bed bug infestation, contact a licensed pest control professional for assistance in identifying and treating the problem promptly.

Want more tips. Learn more about how to prevent bed bugs here.

Worried You Might Have Accidentally Brought Home Bed Bugs? We Can Help!

Though it may seem like a lot of extra work to protect yourself from bed bugs, you shouldn’t worry too much. If you’re vigilant enough about checking your hotel room for bed bugs in the first place, you should be able to avoid bringing them home. 

However, if bed bugs do make it into your home despite these precautions, tackling the problem on your own can be overwhelming. Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eliminate, hiding in cracks, crevices, and furniture, and rapidly multiplying. 

While infestations can be stressful, the bed bug control professionals at Active Pest Control have the experience and knowledge necessary to tackle the problem. If you do feel like you may have accidentally brought a hitchhiking bed bug home, contact us immediately for a free inspection and a little peace of mind.

FAQs

What can I spray on my luggage to prevent bed bugs?

You can use bed bug sprays specifically designed for luggage protection. These sprays often contain non-toxic, travel-safe ingredients that repel bed bugs. Apply the spray to your luggage’s exterior, seams, and zippers before and after travel. 

Products with residual effects can provide ongoing protection, but always read the label to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Does bed bug spray work for travel?

Yes, bed bug sprays designed for travel can help protect your belongings from infestations. These sprays create a barrier that repels bed bugs or kills them on contact. They’re especially useful for treating luggage, hotel room furniture, and bedding.

However, sprays are not a substitute for thorough inspection and prevention practices, such as using hard-sided luggage and sealing clothes in plastic bags.

How likely is it to get bed bugs from a hotel?

The risk of getting bed bugs from a hotel depends on the hotel’s recent infestations. While not every hotel has bed bugs, they can appear in any establishment, from budget motels to luxury resorts. Regular turnover of guests increases the risk. 

Checking your room for signs of bed bugs, such as stains on the bedding or shells, can significantly reduce your chances of bringing them home. 

Familiarizing yourself with identifying bed bug bites can also help you act quickly if an issue arises while you’re traveling. Recognizing the signs of bed bugs early on can help reduce the chances of bringing bed bugs home with you.

Is it common to get bed bugs from a flight?

Getting bed bugs from a flight is less common than from a hotel, but it’s still possible. Close quarters, shared seating, and the movement of luggage can allow bed bugs to transfer from one passenger to another. 

To minimize the risk, keep personal items off the floor and inspect your belongings upon arrival at your destination.

How to make sure your hotel doesn’t have bed bugs?

Before unpacking, inspect your hotel room for signs of bed bugs. Check the mattress seams, headboard, and furniture crevices with a flashlight. Look for reddish-brown stains, tiny eggs, or bed bug shells. Use luggage racks to keep your bags elevated, and avoid placing them on beds or floors. 

Reading recent reviews about the hotel before booking can also help you to determine whether your hotel of choice may have recently had any issues with bed bugs.