Bed Bug Travel Tips

Here are some tips to help ensure your traveling experience is bed bug-free.

Public Transportation: Bus, Train, Taxi, etc.

• Look for signs of bed bugs or a bed bug infestation- bed bug skin or shells, reddish brown streaks or spots, and bed bug eggs.
• Keep Bags on your lap if possible and avoid using the trunk or storage compartments.
• If you utilize the trunk and compartments, be sure to carefully inspect the luggage.
• Use garment hanger instead of putting clothing on the seats if possible.
• Check your clothing and skin for bed bugs immediately after exiting.

 Tips When Flying

• When making reservations, ask airline representative what steps they take to keep bed bugs out of their passenger areas.
• Personally, inspect you’re eating and surrounding areas.
  • Look for signs of bed bugs or a bed bug infestation- bed bug skin or shells, reddish brown streaks or spots, and bed bug eggs.
• Use travel pillows with encasement, do not use an airline provided pillow.
• If you see signs of bed bugs, notify the cabin crew immediately.
• If you travel a lot, you should look into purchasing bed bug proof luggage liners.
• Be sure to carefully inspect your luggage once you get to baggage claim. If you spot bed bugs or eggs, notify the baggage office immediately and ask for assistance.

 Hotels

• Do not place luggage in hotel room until you have inspected it for bed bugs.
  • Pack a flashlight and rubber gloves to inspect room.
  • Inspect nightstands, headboard, mattress seams, closets, hangers, dressers, luggage rack, etc. by running flashlight and gloved finger along seams, cracks, and crevices in hotel furniture.
• Only take clothes that can be washed when you get home: clothes that can be washed in hot water and can withstand 20-30 mins in the dryer.
• Try to use luggage that does not have large outside seams (hard sided luggage). Bed bugs will try to hide in cracks and crevices in the rough surfaces.
• If you buy things while traveling, place them in sealable plastic bags
• Do not place luggage on the floors, utilize luggage racks.
• Keep clothes in suitcases; do not put clothing and other belongings in hotel room drawers.

Entertainment: Theaters, Restaurants, etc.

Bed bugs have made their way into places other than homes, apartments, and hotels. They have made their way into stores, restaurants, planes, and even theaters. Theaters are a perfect place for bed bugs to dine on human blood because it is dark, and we sit for at least a couple hours at a time. Restaurants are lit, but they can be found in cracks and crevices of booths, floors, carpeted walls, etc. The best tip for prevention when going out is:

Dress for the occasion

• Wear pants, closed shoes, and a long sleeve shirt- once the movie is over, or after dinner- check your clothing thoroughly for bed bugs. Some experts even say to take a change of clothing, place them in a plastic bag, and place them in the hot wash once you get home.
• Check your surroundings: Before you sit down, check your area for blood spots, bug remains, or live bugs. If you have any findings, report them immediately to a manager.
• When you get home after a long, fun evening: before you touch carpeted areas, immediately inspect, and throw clothes in washer and wash in hot water. If you go to a friend’s house, take a change of clothing. – If you cannot use the washer, place clothing in a tightly closed plastic bag and wash clothing as soon as you can.
  • Inspect shoes, socks, and bags thoroughly for bed bugs.