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Bed Bug Prevention Tips For Your Summer Vacation
6/13/13
The summer has finally arrived and with the kids out of school, now is the time to pack your bags and head out for a much deserved summer vacation. But before you get too far in the planning and packing, our KS exterminators want to remind you that bed bugs are on high alert through the summer as more and more people jet set to their favorite vacation destinations. While they do not spread disease, bed bugs do bite and can really make for a less than exciting summer memory. Before you take off this summer, here are some bed bug prevention tips:
Tip 1: Make sure your hotel has not had a recent bed bug outbreak.
Bed bug infestations can happen to anyone that comes into contact with these nighttime insects. The cleanest, five star resort has just as much of a chance of having bed bugs than the old, two star motel down the road. Check on the online Bed Bug Registry to see if the hotel you are booking has had any recent problems with bed bugs. Just keep in mind that infestations from a long time ago do not mean that there are any problems now.
Tip 2: Pack smart to protect yourself from bed bugs.
There are a couple things to mention when it comes to packing your bags to prevent bed bugs. The first thing is to make sure that you pack a flashlight so that you can later do a more thorough bed bug inspection in your hotel room. And the second thing is to pack your clothing in large, sealable bags. This will help to keep bed bugs out of your clothing if they do happen to find their way to your luggage. Believe us, bed bugs embedded into clothing is not going to be easy to spot so it’s best to prevent this from happening altogether!
Tip 3: Learn all the signs of a bed bug infestation.
A lot of people assume that if they don’t see bed bugs then they are good to go. But the truth is, bed bugs rarely come out during the day and spend most of their time well hidden in the nooks and crannies of the room they are infesting. So better than trying to find live bed bugs is to find the signs and evidence that bed bugs have been around. Here are the things you will want to inspect your hotel room for, before you bring in all of your bags:
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Light brown colored exoskeletons which are shed as bed bugs become adults.
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Small dark spots on the sheets and mattress which are left behind after bed bugs get a blood meal.
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Live bed bugs themselves in the case of a severe infestation. They are about the size of an apple seed as adults.
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Waking to itchy, red welts on the skin - aka bed bug bites.
Tip 4: Keep an eye out for bed bugs even after you get home.
Keep a watchful eye out for bed bugs once you get home from vacation. Even if you did not see bed bugs in your hotel room, it is still possible that somewhere in your travels you encounter live bugs or even bed bug eggs. Inspect your luggage, clothing and your bedroom for any signs of a bed bug infestation.
If you think that you could have bed bugs in your Kansas home, please contact our pest control professionals at Schendel Pest Services. We offer safe and effective bed bug services including canine inspections to identify bed bugs and heat treatments to get rid of bed bugs. Our service area includes Topeka, Kansas City, and surrounding areas in Kansas as well as locations in other states!