Yup, you read that correctly… more bed bug info! Summer means vacation, and vacation often means hotels, hostels, and AirBnBs! As fun as it is staying away from home, these places can sadly be a very accessible breeding ground for bed bugs. Want bed bug free travel? Keep reading to find out how to avoid a traveler’s nightmare!
WHERE DO I LOOK FOR BED BUGS?
Franklin Pest Solutions and the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) have a great infographic that you can use to identify all the spots these little pests like to hide. Making sure these places are clear of any bed bug evidence is a key factor in making sure none of them are around to bite you overnight, or hitch a ride home with you when you leave!
Like it mentions above, bed bugs aren’t picky when it comes to accommodations. From kitschy hostels, to five-star fancy hotels, these guys can be anywhere. All it takes is two to start a full-blown infestation. Bed bugs can, and do, happen to anyone!
HOW CAN I CHECK IF MY BOOKING HAS EVER HAD BED BUGS?
Thankfully, technology and word of mouth work in our favor when it comes to avoiding bed bugs while traveling. Having bed bugs once doesn’t mean it will happen again, but it’s still good to know if it was ever an issue. If a booking has continued to have issues with bed bugs, let’s just say they’re not very close with their local pest experts! Here are our favorite tips for investigating your lodging spot before you head out:
Our first tip is one of the most useful sites for bed bug alerts for hotels, vacation rentals, residences and apartment buildings: The Bed Bug Registry. The Bed Bug Registry covers major cities in the US and Canada with reported sightings and comments from local residents and visitors. You can even look up larger city locations or neighborhoods to get a bigger picture of the place you’re visiting. They even have mobile apps for iPhone and Android for research on the go!
Another top choice for when you’re staying in a hotel is Trip Advisor. The review system is extremely reliable and in-depth, so you’re sure to find any bed bug warnings. One thing to make a note of is any bed bug problems that don’t appear to have been taken care of over time. Nothing can ruin a vacation like discovering that room you booked didn’t actually take care of that bed bug problem someone complained about last year. Changing hotels at the last minute, or even after you’ve already checked in, is nothing short of awful. Make sure your research is thorough and done well ahead of time!
Last, but certainly not least is, of course, human contact. If you can’t find anything online, there’s no harm whatsoever in calling the hotel, AirBnB, resort, rental property or VRBO ahead of time and asking them flat out if they’ve had any issues. Any business or host worth your time and money is going to provide an honest (and hopefully positive) answer that will allay your bed bug worries long before you even leave your home.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BED BUGS?
We’ve covered bed bugs quite a bit on the Franklin Pest Solutions Northwest Indiana Pest Control Blog, so you’re in luck! Start with our most recent posts: Bed Bug Introduction and Awareness, Bed Bug Information and Inspection, and Bed Bug Treatment and Prevention.
