“Don’t let the bed bugs bite!” Parents may use this phrase in a joking manner when tucking in their kids at night, but there’s an emerging epidemic in of Bedbugs on Vacation in the U.S. and Europe, particularly in big city hotels and apartments.
Most people aren’t concerned of the Bedbugs on vacation problem and don’t think about it until they become infested and are faced with a lengthy, expensive extermination process.
You Are Not Immune from Bedbugs on Vacation
These little critters are rampant in New York City, Seattle, and Vancouver, and other cities like Boston, Toronto, and Chicago are seeing growing outbreaks as well. Even if you live in the most remote areas of the country, you’re still not immune.
All it takes is one to hop in your suitcase while you’re vacationing and suddenly you’ve got an infestation on your hands back home. The best way to deal with them is to not get them in the first place. If you’re planning to travel, there are some simply measures you can take to avoid bringing them home with you.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bedbugs are small insects (less than a half inch long) that feed off human and sometimes animal blood. They wait until you are asleep to come out. Some people wake up with itchy, red spots after being bitten by bed bugs, but others show no symptoms at all.
Those who show no symptoms have to rely on seeing small dark stains on their bedding to diagnose the problem.
Misconception About Bedbugs and Where they are
A common misconception is that bed bugs exist only in dirty homes and that you will not see bedbugs on vacation. Bed bugs are simply after blood and do not discriminate – they’re just as common in upscale hotels as they are in run-down buildings. They lurk under mattresses, in closets or in cracks in the walls.
If you discover an infestation of bed bugs in your home, you’re in for an arduous extermination process that is likely to involve several of gas or non toxic treatments and require you to keep all the clothes you own in airtight bags for weeks.
How To Avoid Bedbugs on Vacation
When you’re traveling, you can never be too concerned if they will be where you’ll be staying. But you can take precautionary measures. Do an online search to locate a bed bug registry and search their database. Enter the address of the hotel you want to stay at to see if there are any infestations at that hotel. If not, the site will show you the location of the nearest reported infestation.
Obviously, if the hotel has had bed bug problems, choose a different place to stay.
Bed Bugs Love To Travel Too
When travel day arrives, pack up each outfit inside an airtight bag. Ziploc makes large airtight bags that are perfect for this purpose. Bed bugs love to travel on clothing, but they can’t get inside those bags. Yes, even in the belly of an airplane, they can hitch a ride in your checked baggage, on occasion, to your final destination. They can be slick.
Hotel Inspection
When you arrive at your room you want to check for bedbugs on vacation, examine the sheets for the small dark stains (bed bug poo) that are sure signs of an infestation. Check underneath the corners of the mattress and box spring to look for bugs or their eggs (the eggs are little white spots the size of grains of salt.)
Don’t Ask For Another Room – Get A Refund
If you see signs of bed bugs, don’t just ask to be moved to a different room, because chances are the entire hotel is infested. Ask for your money back and find another place to stay.
Less Informed Verses The Experienced Hotel Managers
Occasionally, less-informed hotel managers may blame the traveler for bringing the bed bugs or be stand-offish about a refund.
But more-experienced hotel managers are aware of the bed bug issue and are usually willing to accommodate refund requests, especially if you make it known that you’d be willing to go on the internet and spread the word about their infestation.
Be Safe Not Sorry! Finally, when heading back home, do a quick visual check of your bags and again look for bugs, eggs, or stains that might indicate they are present. A few extra minutes spent taking these preventative measures will go along way toward making sure you never experience a bed bug outbreak in your home
Deena Grant Is Chef Online Magazine Editor For Cape Cod Hotels Blog “The Cape Cod Vacation Insider For Bayside Resort Hotel. She Not Only Has Her Finger On The “Everything Cape Cod” Pulse, But Also All Vacationer’s Needs and Concerns. Keep Posted On All Cape Cod Cape Cod Hotel Deals At The Bayside.
I hope this article has not alarmed you but with some careful planning you will not be bringing bedbugs on vacation home with you.
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