How to Keep from Bringing Bed Bugs Home from Your Vacation

Sad to say, bed bugs can be found nearly anywhere these days, from expensive hotels to movie theaters to homes. Many bed bug infestations in homes are a result of bringing these critters home in your luggage. If you follow the tips below, you’ll go a long way toward preventing an infestation in YOUR home!

1. Check your hotel at http://registry.bedbugs.net/ or http://www.bedbugreports.com/ before making a reservation. It will alert you to the hotels that have had bed bug problems reported by customers.
2. At hotels, pull back the sheets and inspect the mattress seams, particularly at the corners, for telltale stains or spots. If you see anything suspect, notify management and change rooms/establishments immediately.
3. Thoroughly inspect the entire room before unpacking, including behind the headboard and in sofas/chairs. If any bed bugs are spotted, change rooms/establishments immediately.
4. If you do need to change rooms, be sure that you do not move to a room adjacent and/or directly above/below the suspected infestation. Bed bugs can easily hitchhike via housekeeping carts, luggage and even through wall sockets. If an infestation is spreading, it typically does so in the rooms closest to the origin.
5. Never put your luggage on the bed. Always use a luggage cart to store luggage.
6. Avoid putting clothing in drawers in dressers in hotel rooms.
7. Do not throw socks and other clothing on the floor.
8. Place all dirty clothing in a plastic bag in your hotel room.
9. After returning home, inspect and wash all vacation clothing or send them to the drycleaners.
10. Inspect and vacuum suitcases after vacations.