Bed Bugs: Avoid Bringing Them Home from Your Travels

Summer travel is in full swing and many of us are taking advantage of the warm weather by exploring new places. While it's a lot of fun, there is one thing you need to watch out for - bed bugs! These pesky critters can hitch a ride on your clothes and luggage and infest your home if you're not careful. In this article, we'll give you some tips on how to avoid bringing bed bugs home with you and how to get rid of them if they do show up.

During Your Trip

1. Luggage

When you travel, be sure to keep your luggage off the ground and preferably, place it somewhere a bit higher up and especially away from the bed. Do not leave your luggage open for longer periods either.

And yes, it's very comfortable to hang up and put all of your clothes in the wardrobe or dresser of your hotel room - but don't! Keep the clothes in your luggage or bag at all time.

2. Check Your Room

Check your hotel room for any signs of bed bugs and if you find any, alert the hotel staff immediately. Typical signs of bed bugs is finding bites on your body in the morning. Bed bug bites are small, red and causes a lot of itching, and often appear in a line or cluster.

Another sign of bed bugs is spotting their excrement around your home. This looks like small, black or brown spots on bedding, furniture, or walls. If you notice these signs, ask for a change of room.

After Your Trip

1. Washing

When you get home, wash all of your clothes in hot water, at least 60℃ and dry them on high heat. Other contents are put in plastic bags and then stored into the freezer (-18°C) for a week. It is also possible to treat in a tumble dryer or drying cabinet for at least one hour.

2. Vacuuming

Check your luggage carefully and vacuum it and any other areas where bed bugs could be hiding. Place the vacuum bag in a plastic bag and put in the freezer for a week, then you can throw it in the normal garbage.

3. Red Cedar Oil or Traps

If you suspect you might have brought bed bugs home or if you want to make sure to protect yourself against them, use Red Cedar Oil. This is a natural and effective way to get rid of and prevent bed bugs without using any harmful chemicals. You simply spray it around your sleeping area, bed frame and along skirting boards to keep them away. You could also use a Bed Bug Trap to effectively get rid of them if you already have an infestation. For maximum protection check out Swedish Red Bed Bug Protection Kit.

We hope this guide helps you avoid bringing bed bugs home from your travels. Happy summer exploring!

By: Lovisa F published August 24, 2022