Bedbugs hide well and spread quickly. Many people pick up these critters in hotel rooms, and before they know it, they have an infestation in their home. Take preventative steps if you’re traveling or have upcoming plans, and use these tips to ensure no unwanted guests follow you home.

How to Protect Yourself From Bedbugs While Vacationing

1. Check the Room

Look around mattress seams and corners, behind bed frames, on the box spring, and inside cabinet drawers. Bedbugs can also nest in curtain folds, as well as upholstered chairs and pillows. If these insects are present, there will be small yellow shell casings and rust-colored waste where they nest. If you notice any of these signs, alert the hotel immediately and request a new room far away from the infested one.

2. Unpack Carefully

When unpacking, keep your luggage on a collapsible suitcase rack, as potential bugs will have a hard time climbing it. Use a spare, large plastic bag leftover from your souvenir shopping and place dirty clothes inside it. This will serve as your laundry bag and prevent critters from climbing into unused garments lying around the hotel room.

3. Wash & Dry Your Clothing

Before you head home, wash and dry all of your clothing first. Bedbugs and their eggs are incredibly resilient, as they don’t die until their climate reaches 118 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Although this added step may be time-consuming, it adds a significant layer of protection in preventing bedbugs from traveling with you.

If you think you’ve brought bedbugs home from your travels, contact the team at Dick’s Fumigation Services in Wailuku, HI. These professional exterminators provide Maui homeowners with affordable tent fumigation and spot treatments. Learn more about their pest control services online, or call (808) 244-7496 to schedule an appointment.