Welcome home! You’ve had a wonderful vacation, and now you’re coming home. Have you brought any souvenirs with you? Great! Have you also brought bed bugs? Wait! What?
Did you know that travellers can sometimes bring bed bugs back home with them if they unknowingly pick them up from where they go? Bed bugs are very good at hiding and can easily get into luggage and clothing.
Thermokill has a solution for that. We offer a 2-hour service that involves heat treating your luggage before you bring it into your residence. That would prevent the possible spread of bed bugs in your home. Bed bugs and all the problems that can come with them are the last thing you would want to import—especially if you are unaware that this could occur.
It is important to take preventative steps to avoid bringing bed bugs home in the first place. Let’s take a look at the situation in more detail.
Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?
Bed bugs are found all over the world, including but not limited to the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and many other countries. They can be found in a variety of buildings, such as homes, apartments, hotels, motels, dormitories, hospitals, offices, nursing homes, and even public transportation vehicles.
They are small, parasitic insects that feed on human blood. Generally found in warm and humid climates, they can live in furniture, mattresses, carpets, and clothing. Bed bugs are not known to transmit any diseases, but their bites can cause intense itching, discomfort, and a general feeling of unease.
Bed bugs prefer warm temperatures and dark, sheltered areas, so they are often found in beds, mattresses, furniture, and bedding. They also need a blood meal to survive, so they are often found around people and in areas where humans sleep. In order to survive, bed bugs need a warm environment (around 70-80°F) with plenty of blood meals available.
Why Are Bed Bugs a Concern When Travelling?
Travellers are particularly at risk of bringing bed bugs home from their travels due to their close contact with different environments. Bed bugs can easily hide in suitcases, clothing, and other items and be brought home without the travellers even noticing. This can lead to an infestation in the home, which can be difficult and time consuming to get rid of.
How to Prevent Bringing Bed Bugs Home
Check the Hotel Room for Bed Bugs
When you arrive at the hotel, it is important to check the room for any signs of bed bugs. Look around the mattress and other furniture for any obvious signs of an infestation, such as discoloured or rusty spots. If you spot any bed bugs or signs of an infestation, it is best to ask to be moved to another room.
Keep Luggage Off the Floor and Away From Furniture
Once you have checked the room, it is important to keep your luggage off the floor and away from the furniture. This will reduce the chances of bed bugs getting into your luggage and being taken home with you.
Avoid Placing Clothes on the Bed
When unpacking, it is important to avoid placing your clothes on the bed. Bed bugs can easily hide in clothes, so it is best to avoid giving them an opportunity to get into your suitcase.
Store Your Suitcase in the Hotel Bathroom While Packing
When packing your suitcase, it is best to store it in the bathroom rather than the bedroom. This will reduce the chances of bed bugs getting into your suitcase.
Go Directly to Thermokill to Receive a 2-Hour Heat Treatment for Your Luggage
If you don’t bring live bed bugs into your home, the chances of an infestation will be reduced to zero. This may seem unimportant, but if you have ever experienced the cost and stress of eliminating an infestation, you will understand why this is a good idea.
Wash Clothes Immediately Upon Returning Home
Once you arrive home with your luggage, it is important to wash all your clothes in hot water to ensure that any bed bugs that may have been brought home are killed. This will further reduce the chances of an infestation in your home.
Signs of Bed Bugs
One of the most common signs of bed bugs is discoloured or rusty spots on bedding, mattresses, and walls. These are the blood spots that bed bugs leave behind after feeding.
Eggs and Eggshells
Bed bugs lay small, pale yellow eggs that are about 1 mm in size. These eggs can be found in furniture and bedding, as well as on walls and other surfaces.
Live Bed Bugs
If you are able to spot any live bed bugs, then this is a sure sign of an infestation. Bed bugs are small and brown in colour and can be found in furniture, mattresses, carpets, and clothing.
Trust Thermokill to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Summary of how to prevent bringing bed bugs home in luggage
It is important to take precautions to prevent bringing bed bugs home in your luggage. This includes checking the hotel room for any signs of an infestation, keeping luggage off the floor and away from furniture, storing your suitcase in the bathroom while packing, avoiding placing clothes on the bed, and taking your returning luggage directly to Thermokill for a 2-hour heat treatment. In addition, washing all clothes in hot water upon returning home is also useful.
A reminder of signs to look out for if bed bugs have been brought home
If you suspect that you may have brought bed bugs home with you, it is important to look out for signs of an infestation. These signs include discoloured or rusty spots on bedding, mattresses, and walls, eggs and eggshells, and live bed bugs. If you spot any of these signs, it is important to take action to get rid of the infestation as soon as possible. If you find that you have inadvertently brought bed bugs home, contact Thermokill immediately. They will come to your home to help you get rid of the bed bugs.