Four Tricks to Make Sure Bed Bugs Don't Ruin Your Summer Vacation

Bed bugs have long been associated with cheap motels and places that frankly most of us would never step foot into, but in reality, bed bugs are not so choosy. They are just as happy to be in a dive motel as a five star hotel, which is why you need to know these four tricks to make sure bed bugs don’t hitchhike their way into your home.

1. Making sure you don’t bring bed bugs home as a souvenir of your vacation actually starts before you ever leave your house. The first trick is to know how to pack to deter bed bugs. If you have the choice between soft sided and hard sided luggage, choose the hard sided luggage. How you pack inside your luggage can also play an important role in keeping bed bugs out. Use large zip-top plastic bags to pack your clothes in. Carry extra bags to use as hampers. These bags will make it extremely hard for a bed bug to hitch hike.
2. The next tip is for when you actually get to your destination. Did you drive “down the shore?” If so, leave your luggage in the car until you are able to inspect the hotel or home you have rented. If you flew to your destination there are two options for placing your luggage when you first get in the room. The first option is a hard flat surface, like a desk, that is preferably not in close proximity to the bed. If that isn’t available, a tub is a safe place as well. Do not put your luggage directly on the bed!
3. When your luggage is in a safe place, it is time for an inspection! A small flashlight can be helpful for this, but isn't necessary. You are looking for both bed bugs, and signs of bed bug activity. Bed bugs are reddish-brown and about the size and shape of an apple seed. A sign of bed bug activity is small specs that look like pepper. If you find this in a hotel room ask to be moved to another room that does not share a wall, floor, or ceiling with this room.
4. Even if you inspected the room and everything seems fine, it's still a good idea to keep you clothes in their plastic zip bags and put dirty clothes in the plastic “hampers.” This will make it easier to take advantage of the last “trick” to keep bed bugs away. As soon as you get home take the plastic bags out of your luggage and wash your clothes. Leave the suitcase outside and vacuum it as soon as possible.

So what happens if you did everything right and you still have a bed bug hitchhike into your home? Bed bug eradication is not a good DIY project, but with help from Cowleys you can be bed bug free quickly!