Bedbugs are extremely hard to get rid of, with the best treatment being prevention. It’s hard not to be paranoid about bed bugs while traveling, and it is easy to let your guard down while staying in a hotel, especially after a long day of sight seeing. If you’re planning a vacation in the near future, it may be worthwhile to deepen your knowledge on how to avoid bed bugs while traveling. Although bed bugs are most often associated with dirty homes and apartments, they can be found anywhere, even in five-star hotels. They are becoming increasingly common among travelers too. You are about to go on vacation, or you have just arrived at your destination and want to avoid bringing bed bugs home with you. Good for you! Bed bugs are not pleasant at all and if left untreated, they can make your stay a less-than-satisfactory one. Here are some tips that will help you avoid bringing these critters home with you.

Bed Bug Prevention Travel

Bed bugs are on the rise again. From New York City to Tokyo, bed bug infestations have tripled in the past decade, with as many as 20,000 cases reported in 2010 alone. In 2012, The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) predicted that 63 percent of pest professionals had treated for bed bugs in the previous year. As a result, it seems like you can’t turn your head without seeing an article or advertisement on how to avoid these pesky pests while traveling.

The bad news is that bed bugs are on the rise again. From New York City to Tokyo, bed bug infestations have tripled in the past decade, with as many as 20,000 cases reported in 2010 alone. In 2012, The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) predicted that 63 percent of pest professionals had treated for bed bugs in the previous year. As a result, it seems like you can’t turn your head without seeing an article or advertisement on how to avoid these pesky pests while traveling.

The good news is that there are some definite steps you can take to lower your chances of encountering them when you travel—and if you do get bit by these little vampires during one of your trips abroad or elsewhere at home, here’s what experts say will help keep them from coming back again and again:

The good news is that there are many effective ways to prevent bed bugs from coming home with you! Below we highlight the top tips for avoiding bed bugs while traveling:

• Check your room before unpacking. Bed bugs can hitch a ride on your clothes, shoes and other belongings. If you see any signs of bed bugs or their eggs on the bed, chairs or other surfaces in the room, ask for another room immediately.
• Inspect your luggage before packing. Before packing your bags for travel, take a look at them and make sure there are no signs of bed bug activity – including dark stains from blood (which is how they feed). If you find anything suspicious in your luggage, discard it immediately to avoid spreading any potential infestation to your home when you return from vacation!
• Keep your luggage off of the floor and away from beds/furniture/curtains/etc. Bed bugs prefer hiding in cracks and crevices close to where people sleep; so if possible try not putting suitcases directly on floors or near furniture like beds where they may be able to climb into unnoticed pockets during transit

1. Check Your Room Before You Unpack

Check the mattress, especially in corners and edges. Check the headboards and dressers. Make sure to check bedding for any signs of bed bugs. Check all cracks and crevices for signs of infestation (e.g., black specks). If you find an infestation, alert hotel management immediately so they can take action!

A few minutes of inspection could save you major hassle later on. Before settling in, pull back the bedding and check all seams and crevices of the mattress, particularly around the corners and edges of the box spring. Next, check out the furniture such as headboards and dressers. Bed bugs can live almost anywhere there is a crack or crevice. If you find any signs of bed bugs (dark spots or droppings), don’t be afraid to request another room!

Bed bugs can be found anywhere, even the most luxurious hotels. Before settling in, pull back the bedding and check all seams and crevices of the mattress, particularly around the corners and edges of the box spring. Next, check out the furniture such as headboards and dressers. Bed bugs can live almost anywhere there is a crack or crevice. If you find any signs of bed bugs (dark spots or droppings), don’t be afraid to request another room!