Bed Bugs are Hungrily Awaiting Your Post-quarantine Vacation, Too

Farmingdale, NJ (June 2nd, 2020) – Many states are beginning to lift stay-at-home restrictions just in time for the summer travel season, and Americans across the country are getting ready to embark on their highly anticipated vacations. As excitement around the prospect of traveling again grows, it’s easy to forget one tiny, but the trip-altering treat – bed bugs. While these elusive pests are found just about everywhere, they are especially common in hotel rooms, making the start of the summer travel season the perfect time to raise awareness. This Bed Bug Awareness Week, June 7-13, Cowleys Pest Services, with the help of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), is sharing bed bug inspection tips to help keep travelers safe from these blood-sucking pests. 

“While hotel occupancy may have been down across the country in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, travelers should be aware that bed bugs are still present as they can survive months without feeding,” said Bill Cowley,  Co-Owners at Cowleys Pest Services. “Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers and can steal away in suitcases, purses, and other items, making inspection crucial to preventing an infestation when you return home.

With over six million online conversations in the U.S. on the topic of finding bed bugs in April 2020 alone,* Cowleys is sharing tips to help travelers avoid unwanted encounters this travel season:

1. Thoroughly inspect the entire room for bed bugs before unpacking, including behind the headboard, under lights and inside dressers, drawers, sofas, and chairs. 
2. Pull back the sheets and inspect the mattress seams and box spring, particularly at the corners, for pepper-like stains, spots, or shed bed-bug skins.
3. Carry a small flashlight to assist you with quick visual inspections.
4. Place suitcases in a plastic trash bag during the duration of the trip to ensure that bed bugs cannot take up residence there prior to departure. 
5. Vacuum and properly inspect suitcases after returning from a vacation. Do not bring the suitcase into your home until it has been inspected. 
6. Vacuum and inspect your car, paying close attention to the seats and trunk to ensure no bed bugs made the journey home with you. 
7. If you think you may have brought bed bugs home with you, seek professional pest control assistance to address an infestation, as this is not a do-it-yourself pest.

“Bed bugs are not among the souvenirs you want to bring home from vacation. If you do suspect an infestation, contact hotel management immediately and ask to switch rooms” added Bill Cowley.