Holiday Travel Prep

This is the time of year when many people are making plans to visit family and friends during the upcoming holiday season. The holidays can be stressful enough without adding the hassle of travel and the stress of staying in a hotel. Many people also have anxiety when traveling due to the continued threat of bed bugs. The experts at American Pest are here to tell you that while bed bugs may still be a threat to travelers, there are things you can do to reduce the chances of bed bugs coming home with you after your holiday trip.

The only way a bed bug is traveling this holiday season is by hitchhiking from one host to another. Bed bugs cannot fly or jump, instead they crawl onto a person or their belongings and are then unknowingly introduced into a home. People can come into contact with bed bugs in a variety of places, many of them common to travelers: airports, airplanes, taxis, hotels, motels, movie theaters, and shopping centers.

Bed bugs are very small, adults are only ¼ of an inch in length, but they can be seen by a human eye. They are reddish brown in color, have an oval body, no wings, and have six legs. Bed bugs can often be found hiding in the cracks and crevices of seats (airplane, buses, taxis), and in mattresses and box springs; they can also be found hiding in the cracks of walls and wooden furniture, behind baseboards, picture frames, and wall outlets.

How to help protect yourself and your belongings from bed bugs while traveling:

• Keep bags, purses, and coats up off the ground in public places while traveling.

• Inspect your hotel or motel room for signs of bed bugs before bringing your luggage and other belongings into it.

• Pull back the sheets and bedding to inspect them and the mattress and box spring for adult bed bugs (apple seeds with legs), their droppings (black flecks), or blood droplets.

• Look in the cracks and crevices of wooden furniture, behind picture frames, and along baseboards for any bed bugs that may be hiding. Bringing along a flashlight can help with this process.

• If any sign of bed bugs is found ask for a new hotel room that is not adjacent to your current room, or change hotels.

• Keep your luggage up off the floor of the hotel; store any items that you are not using in plastic bags.

Despite your best efforts, there may be a time when bed bugs will win and make their way into your home. While it may be easier said than done - try not to stress. With American Pest on your side, all the bed bugs in your home will be quickly, safely, and discreetly located and removed. Our bed bug control services include K-9 bed bug detection, bed bug heat treatments, conventional pesticide treatment and mattress and box spring encasement. We will work with you to determine what the best treatment method is for your unique situation.

If you have any questions about bed bugs in Montgomery County or our bed bug treatment services, contact American Pest today, one of our bed bug control experts will be happy to speak with you!