How to Prevent Bed Bugs
The mere mention of bed bugs is enough to give anyone the shivers. Unfortunately they are a real problem that has become widespread in hotels and homes throughout the United States. Although your home is kept in clean condition it is still quite possible to have bed bugs in your home. The key to avoid infestation is to learn how to prevent them.
- Check hotel rooms or any room that you are staying in, for bedbug infestation before opening up your luggage or any of your belongings. Look for dark spots or light brown exoskeletons in dark areas that are 5 to 10 feet from the bed and sitting areas.
- Report any signs of bedbug infestation to the hotel manager. Do not stay in that hotel room or any room that is next to, below or above it. You may want to consider another hotel entirely as it is safe to assume that if one room is infested they all are potentially infested as well.
- Keep your purse, suitcase or whatever type of luggage that you are carrying off of the floor, even if you did not see any outward signs of infestation. Bed bugs can easily hitch a ride in your luggage and make their way into your home.
- Launder your clothing thoroughly after travel. Use the hottest water possible for cleaning your clothes and dry them on high heat. This will kill any bed bugs that may have made it into your luggage and onto your clothes.
- Vacuum the interior of your luggage thoroughly. Empty the vacuum bag or dust canister into a plastic bag and seal it. Throw the plastic bag into your outdoor trash.