Bedbugs are small, oval-shaped insects that are drawn to the blood of people and animals. They are known to infest human habitats, hiding in bedding, mattresses, furniture, and carpeting. These creatures can be extremely difficult to get rid of. Many travelers worry that bugs from a motel room might hitch a ride in their luggage, following them home. Below are some tips to help you prevent bringing these pests back to your house after a trip.

A Traveler’s Guide to Protecting Against Bedbugs

1. Know How to Spot Them

Adult bedbugs are about the size, shape, and color of an apple seed. Their eggs and young are pinpoint-sized and pale in color, so they can be harder to identify. Their droppings look like tiny, rust-colored splotches resembling dried bloodstains. These pests hide under pillows, in the folds of bedding, in creases of furniture, and along the lining ridges of mattresses.

2. Use the Luggage Stand

Never place luggage on the bed. This makes it too convenient for any pests to crawl into your bag and nestle in the clothes. Instead, use the luggage stand provided by most hotels. Bedbugs have trouble climbing the metal legs, keeping them out of your suitcase. Unless you need to hang something in the closet, leave the clothes inside your bags as an extra precaution.

3. Store Clothes in Plastic Bags

Pack clothes in plastic bags to keep pests from finding a hiding spot. Place dirty laundry into a separate bag when repacking for your return trip.

When you get home, leave the suitcase outside or in the garage. Inspect the bags and clothing items for bedbugs before bringing the sealed bags indoors. Drop dirty laundry immediately into the washing machine. Wash and dry your clothes on the hottest cycle to kill any bedbugs you may have accidentally brought home. 

If you need pest control service to take care of a bedbug infestation, contact Jackson & Eagle Pest Management in West Plains, MO. This team has served Howell County and the Ozarks region for more than 60 years. They also specialize in termite treatment, ant removal, and rodent control. Call (417) 256-6286 for a consultation, or visit their website to learn more about treating bedbugs and their other service offerings.