It is no secret that hotel rooms are subject to bed bug infestations. All public places are susceptible as bed bugs are notorious hitchhikers that often stow away in luggage. Many times, for the cautious customer, you can ask the hotel for bed bug history before checking in or even booking your room. Typically, most hotel employees are trained for bed bugs as a precaution to avoid an infestation and poor customer reviews. But bed bugs can be sneaky and elusive, making them a challenge for even the staff to find. In an effort to help you avoid bringing one of these pesky bed bugs home with you on your next trip, we at A Five Star Termite and Pest Control would like to share a few tips on searching for potential bed bugs in your next hotel room.
Do Not Unpack Bags Right Away in Hotel Room
Once you’ve entered the room, do not place your bags on the luggage rack. Keep your belongings in the bathroom instead. The bathtub, for example, or other acrylic surfaces are safe as they are too slick for bed bugs to crawl on. Immediately begin to check for bed bugs after your luggage is on or in the acrylic surface. The mattress, headboard and luggage racks as well as the furniture around the bed like the nightstand and check along the alarm clocks, phones, picture frames, and so on. Keep in mind, bed bugs look for dark and quiet places to hide, so especially look in the cracks and crevices.
Check for Bugs in Hotel Room
Look for signs of the bed bug infestation. Exoskeletons that bed bugs shed during their growth process is on sign; they are yellow, empty shells that are scattered close to their hiding spots. Drop of blood stains, typically obvious on light colored bed spreads/sheets, and so on. Should you notice these signs make sure you report it to the front desk. They should move you to a new room and keep in mind bed bugs often travel to room to room through shared walls. When you ask for a new room, ask for one on a different room.
Dirty Laundry Attracts Bed Bugs
Dirty laundry is often what attracts bed bugs. Bed bugs were twice as likely to swarm to dirty clothes compared to clean clothes according done by researchers from the University of Sheffield. It is believed it is due to the residual odors on the clothes that mimic the smell of a food source. Bag your dirty clothes separate from your clean clothes. If you suspect a bed bug infestation but cannot confirm, keep the dirty clothes in the bath tub.
Apply it at home procedures. Where bed bugs can be crafty and elude your inspection, it is always ideal to inspect your clothing, luggage, and other items for bed bugs once you have gotten home. Should you discover bed bugs, contact a professional after eliminating the ones you have in case others have gotten loose in your home.
Bed Bug Inspection, Control, Removal & More in Canyon Lake, Spring Branch, Bulverde, Timberwood Park, Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, New Braunfels, Selma, Live Oak, Converse, Universal City, Cibolo, Seguin, New Berlin, St Hedwig, Adkins, La Vernia, Elmendorf, Losoya, Von Ormy, Macdona & San Antonio, Texas
A Five Star Termite and Pest Control can perform bed bug inspections in your Greater San Antonio, Texas home and if any are discovered, act with the right application of bed bug termination procedures. Call us today to schedule your appointment.
