Memorial Day Travel: Tips for Preventing Bed Bugs

The Memorial Day Weekend is almost here, and people are ready to get out of town!

But, you don’t want that weekend getaway to turn into a bed bug infestation.

Whether you’re heading to a hotel, rental property or even a summer camp, it’s important to know how to prevent bringing bed bugs home with you.  NCPMA provides the following tips for preventing bed bug infestations in your home.

Inspect

• Before sleeping in a bed at a hotel, rental property, camp or dorm, check the mattress, bed sheets, and headboard for tell-tale blood spots or signs of bed bugs.
• If signs of bed bugs are spotted, alert the hotel or rental property staff.  Each hotel or rental property should have a Bed Bug Management Plan in place to assist you as the problem is addressed.
• Vacuum suitcases after returning from a vacation, summer camp or dorm and throw away the vacuum bag or clean the canister. Wash all clothing from the suitcases in hot water.

Prepare

• Consider bringing a large plastic trash bag in which to store your suitcase during stays at hotels, rental properties, dorms or camps.
• Carry a flashlight with you to inspect mattresses and furniture in your vacation property.
• Read “Bed Bugs: Your Guide to Prevention, Detection & Treatment,” a NCPMA booklet available through our member companies.

Call

• Seek professional pest management to address an infestation. Trying to treat a problem without a professional can make the problem worse and more costly.