Protecting yourself on a vacation or business trip involves more than wearing sunblock and traveling with another person. It also means protecting yourself against bedbugs. The parasitic insects known for leaving terribly itchy welts on their victims slip into suitcases and nestle among clothing, causing you to unwittingly bring them home. Rather than scheduling a bedbug extermination upon your return, learn how to avoid bringing these unwanted travelers back with you in the first place.

Top 5 Tips for Protecting Yourself From Bedbugs When You Travel

1. Read Accommodation Reviews

Read hotel reviews and online bedbug registries before you book to learn about any recent bedbug extermination processes. Reviews give you an idea of how clean the hotel is, while online registries list where infestations have been found in lodgings around the country, as well as when they occurred.

2. Check Hotel Rooms Thoroughly

Give your hotel room a comprehensive bug check before you settle in. Turn the lights off and use a flashlight since the insects do not come out during the day. Check under the mattress and box spring, behind the headboard, and among the pillows and bedding. Look for blood, shed skin, eggs, and live bugs. Check the curtains and any upholstered couches or chairs the room features as well.

3. Hang Clothes & Use Luggage Racks

Hang your clothes on hangers and use luggage racks rather than keeping your clothes on the bed, upholstered chairs, or floor. Even if you believe your room is free of the parasites, it is still a good idea to use hangers and racks to keep your items off the floor and away from other insects.

4. Use Bedbug-Resistant Plastic Bags

Keep your luggage in bedbug-resistant plastic bags. These heavy-duty vinyl bags will not tear easily, allowing you to hold a variety of items and protect against insects. You may want to keep your luggage in them after returning home in an area separate from the house, such as an unattached garage, for further protection. Plastic covers eventually suffocate the bugs.

5. Purchase Bedbug Luggage Spray

Use special organic spray specially made to kill adult bedbugs. Look for those featuring non-toxic ingredients such as clove and peppermint oil to spray your luggage, clothing, furniture, mattresses, and anywhere else you believe the insects may be present.

If you need bedbug extermination despite your best efforts, work with the experienced and knowledgeable team at Bugout Termite & Pest Control. Proudly serving the Baltimore, MD, metro area for 30 years, these members of the Maryland Pest Control Association and National Pest Control Association offer non-contract services and follow-up specials. Call (410) 760-6065 or visit the website for more information about bedbug extermination. Like the residential pest control team on Facebook for additional tips.