Wil-Kil Pest Control's Pest of the Month: Bed Bugs, Unwanted Travel Companions

It’s that time of year again. The holidays will soon be upon us, and many local residents will be taking time off from work to visit family and friends. With Thanksgiving being the busiest travel day of the year, more than 43 million people are expected to take flight, ride the rails or drive to spend the holiday with relatives.

While there’s nothing better than the food and festivities of the holidays, there is one thing that can really put a damper on the season and that’s bed bugs. The increase in travel around the holidays gives these hitchhiking bugs more opportunities to cling to clothing and hide out in the luggage of unsuspecting travelers.

Whether staying with a relative or in a five-star hotel, travelers should be on the lookout for bed bugs throughout the holiday season. But just searching your room isn’t enough. Bed bugs can be found anywhere including popular attractions, such as the movie theatre, or on public transportation. It’s important to know the signs of an infestation and take a few precautions to avoid bringing home these unwanted house guests.

Here are a few things all travelers should do while on vacation and immediately upon returning home:

• Check hotel bed sheets and mattress for unusual blood spots upon arriving. Pay particular attention to the corners and seams as bed bugs often hide out there.
• Thoroughly inspect the entire hotel room with a flashlight before unpacking. Look behind the headboard, under lights and inside dressers, drawers, sofas and chairs for signs of bed bugs.
• Avoid placing suitcases on hotel floors or the hotel bed – the safest place is in the bathroom or on a luggage rack, after it has been thoroughly inspected of course.
• If you notice bed bugs in your room, immediately notify management and request to change rooms.
• Inspect suitcases for any signs of bed bugs before entering your home. Check areas around zippers and seams where bugs may be hiding.
  • Tip: pack clothes in zip lock bags for easy cleaning upon return home.
• Vacuum suitcases thoroughly before bringing indoors and storing away.
• Wash and dry all clothes – even those items that were not worn – in hot water and on high heat to remove any bed bugs or eggs that may have traveled home.
  • Tip: dry clean only clothes should be thrown in the dryer and run on high heat for at least 30 minutes.

These tips are especially important for college students returning home from dorms and apartment buildings on campus. Taking a few extra precautions to avoid bed bugs can help ease the stresses of traveling during the busy holiday season and allow you to enjoy the company of friends and family.

Do you have any tips to share? I welcome your comments and feedback!

About Shane McCoy:
Shane McCoy is the Director of Quality and Technical Training for Wil-Kil Pest Control, a regional pest management company providing quality pest management for residential and commercial properties throughout the Upper Midwest. As an Associate Certified Entomologist with over 18 years of experience in pest management, Shane’s blog provides expert tips and tricks, timely information and solutions for coexisting with the insect life and critters around us. To learn more about Wil-Kil Pest Control, please visit www.wil-kil.com. You can also follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@WilKilPest).