The holiday season is prime time for folks across North Carolina to travel and meet up with loved ones out of town. When you return home sweet home, there’s a chance that bed bugs have hitched a ride on your luggage or bags.
While it’s challenging to eliminate these nasty pests once they come in, you can prevent an infestation from ruining the jolliest time of the year. Our Clegg’s Pest Control team will share practical tips and information to avoid bringing bed bugs back to your North Carolina home from your holiday travels.
Why Should I Worry About Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small, flat insects that feed on the blood of people and animals as they sleep. They often spread around by latching onto traveling items such as furniture, luggage, and bags. This ability to travel creates widespread problems for folks visiting family and friends during the holiday season.
Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs do not die off during the winter. Because of their traveling abilities, they can avoid prolonged exposure to cold temperatures and find a place to survive on bedsheets.
How To Check for Bed Bugs During Holiday Travel
As you embark on your journey this holiday season, you must be weary and prepared to combat any signs that might indicate a bed bug infestation. Here are some practical tips to follow during your holiday travels.
Inspect for Signs of Bed Bugs in Hotels
When you turn the key and see your hotel room for the first time, it’s easy to feel satisfaction knowing you’ve reached your destination. Before you even think about unpacking, inspecting your hotel room for any signs of a potential bed bug problem is best. Our professionals recommend inspecting the mattress, boxspring, and headboard first. While doing so, store luggage in the bathtub while inspecting – not the closet or luggage rack, as there may be activity there.
Here are some common bed bug detection signs to look out for during your initial check of the room:
- Blood stains on bed sheets and mattresses
- Presence of eggs
- Sighting of casings
- Visible live bed bugs
Isolate Your Luggage
Since bed bugs often hitchhike on travel items, keep your luggage isolated and off your hotel’s bedding. We recommend finding a space such as a closet or rack to which you can dedicate your travel items, preferably on the opposite side of the room from the beds.
Use Luggage Coverings and Plastic Bags
Are you looking for added protection from any pesky bed bugs? Consider investing in luggage coverings that will help shield your belongings from pests latching onto your bags and becoming a plus one in your car. We also recommend using plastic bags to pack your clothing. Using plastic bags will also help organize your gear while providing premium protection in your luggage.
How To Avoid Bringing Bed Bugs Home
Even when you return to your place, that doesn’t mean that bed bugs are out of sight and out of mind. Several safety measures should be taken to protect you and your loved ones from these nasty bloodsuckers draining away your holiday spirit. Here are four premier ways to protect yourself from bed bugs post-holiday travel.
1. Wash Your Clothes Immediately
Among the first things you should do post-return is wash all your clothes immediately, regardless of whether they were worn. For the best results, we recommend using disinfectant spray and setting your washing machine to the highest temperature setting. Be sure to dry your clothes on the hottest setting as well.
2. Vacuum and Clean Your Luggage
Another excellent safety measure to practice is cleaning your luggage before and after your holiday travels. First, vacuum your luggage to remove any surface dirt or grime. After vacuuming, dispose of the luggage bag outside the home or in a sealed bag. Then, use disinfectant wipes to clean off any residue left behind. These simple steps help eliminate prime real estate for bed bugs and keep you and your family’s attention on the holiday spirit.
3. Check for Any Bites
For safe measures, check your body for bites or marks. Bed bug bites are often small, red bumps that are commonly swollen. If you have bed bug bites, wash the infected areas off with soap and water and apply over-the-counter disinfectant cream to help with the itching and swelling.
4. Contact Professional Bed Bug Control
When you recognize you can’t take on a bed bug problem alone, your best results will come with professional bed bug control. Pest control technicians are supplied with the right tools and have the knowledge needed to provide effective treatments to your home in ways that DIY methods cannot reproduce.
Get Bed Bug Control in North Carolina With Clegg’s Pest Control
Don’t let bed bugs hitch a ride back to your home, and reach out to Clegg’s Pest Control for help. Our professional technicians will come to your home, conduct thorough inspections, and apply treatments based on their diagnosis for your bed bug and countless other pest problems.
Contact our team or find your nearest Clegg’s Pest Control service branch online today to request our North Carolina bed bug control services!
