Bed Bugs and Travel

So today's post is about bed bugs and traveling. With Christmas coming up, more and more people are traveling and with the rush and the stress of traveling so close to the holidays, bed bugs may be not even be a concern.

Traveling should be a big concern for people what with all the stories of bed bugs in hotels,on trains, on cruise ships, etc. There are some very handy tips you can follow when traveling to help prevent bring a creepy crawly souvenir home from your trip.

1. Always inspect the room and furniture for blood spots, bug droppings or live insects--if you find any evidence of possible bed bugs then request a new room. Bedbugs like to hide in places like cracks, crevices, folds, and ruffles. Use a flashlight if you have to in order to thoroughly check for any signs of bed bugs. 

2. Pack your clothing in over sized, resealable plastic bags before packing them and keep your belongings in the bags or hanging up during your trip (don't put things on the floor or bed). Use a luggage rack to store your belongings during your stay in hotels.

3. Before leaving the hotel, inspect all your belongings and luggage carefully

4. When you return home, inspect your luggage and belongings again (it's recommended you do this outside as a precaution) or if its too cold outside, use your bathtub as bed bugs have a hard time climbing smooth surfaces. Always wash your clothing in the hottest water possible before putting them in the dryer for at least 30 minutes.

As stated in previous posts, ANYONE can get bug bugs. It's important that as soon as you think you have an infestation or if you know you do, to treat it quickly and properly. The longer you wait, the harder and more expensive it can be to treat later.

To book an appointment give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at 705-534-7863 or email us today.

Bed bug bites often occur in a unique bite pattern of three or four, sometimes referred to as a "breakfast, lunch, dinner" pattern.

For help to solve all of your pest control problems, call Cottage Country Pest Control at (705)534-7863, or email us at ccpestcontrol@gmail.com.

Hotel Bedbugs

Barb wrote:

Bedbugs freak me out. I have enough trouble sleeping in motels but the thought
of bedbugs would keep me up all night. What's a squeamish traveler to do??

You're in luck. Unlike some other nasties, bedbugs are relatively easy to see:

(Image from Imprint, Bell Museum of Natural History)

If you are travelling and concerned about bedbugs (and you should be, as they're very happy hitch-hikers) ...as soon as you get into your hotel/motel room (or friends or family or wherever):

1. leave your luggage by the door - away from the bed!


2. completely strip the bed, (me, I would include any mattress cover as well) placing the bedding someplace other than where you've put your luggage


3. carefully examine the mattress, paying particular attention to corners, seams, and in the cracks of any furniture


4. bedbugs are large enough to see - and they also tend to leave dirt behind


5. if you see any possible indications of either - exit stage left, get your money back and find someplace else to stay