Keep Bed Bugs at Bay While Home or Away

Vacations are for relaxation and memory-making—not for dealing with the nightmare of a bed bug infestation. These ubiquitous pests don’t discriminate; they infest roadside motels, luxury resorts, airports, trains, and rideshares alike. What’s worse, if they follow you home, you could be facing a long and costly (not to mention itchy!) removal process.

The best offense is a good defense. With these four easy travel prep tips, you can explore the world with carefree, critter-free confidence, wherever your travels take you.

Step 1: Pack like a pro—pro exterminator, that is.

Your first line of defense starts before leaving home. As you begin to pack for your trip, these simple precautions will safeguard your luggage from disturbing stowaways.

Don’t: Toss clothes haphazardly into any old bag or duffel.

Do: Use leather or hardshell suitcases and toiletry bags, which are more difficult for bed bugs to infiltrate than their fabric counterparts. For an extra-protective barrier, pack clothing and shoes in resealable plastic or vacuum-sealed garment bags.

Extra-safe tip: Bed bugs tend to avoid strong scents and essential oils, so it never hurts to add a few dryer sheets or a lavender sachet to your luggage.

Step 2: Inspect your lodgings as soon as you arrive.

Before settling in, place luggage on an uncarpeted surface, like a table or even in the bathtub. Then, scour the space for signs of the bugs themselves—whose small, reddish-brown bodies sort of resemble an apple seed—as well as the tiny black droppings they leave behind.

Don’t: Assume your space is bug-free just because it appears clean or merely because you’re staying in an upscale hotel.

Do: Use your phone’s flashlight to inspect common bed bug hideouts like mattress seams, furniture grooves, wallpaper folds, and windowsills.

Extra-safe tip: If you spot signs of bed bugs, call the front desk right away to request a different room—or consider changing hotels altogether. If you choose to stick it out, be sure to treat the space with travel-safe bed bug spray before unpacking.

Step 3: Keep belongings protected throughout your stay.

Remember, bed bugs are hide-and-seek champions. Even if your initial sweep turns up no evidence, avoid getting too cozy in your home away from home.

Don’t: Leave clothes scattered around the room or stashed in hotel drawers.

Do: If possible, leave clothing in your luggage for the duration of your trip, removing items as you need them and keeping everything else safely tucked away.

Extra-safe tip: If you’re especially wary of your surroundings, wrap the whole kit and kaboodle in plastic luggage bags.

Step 4: Stay vigilant for a few days after returning home.

Your first impulse might be to rest your travel-weary bones, but these final precautions will ensure no loathsome insects hitched a ride with you home.

Don’t: Unload luggage on beds, furniture, or carpeted surfaces.

Do: Unpack outside if you can. Even better, let bags sit in the fresh air for a few days before vacuuming/cleaning and storing them.

Extra-safe tip: Heat is one of the most effective ways to kill bed bugs, so wash and dry clothing at the highest possible temp. If you travel frequently, consider using a handheld steam cleaner to safeguard  garments, luggage, and shoes while you’re on the road.

Bottom line: Bed-bug safe beats bed-bug sorry.

No one wants to think about bed bugs when planning a getaway, but neglecting the subject could leave you with a much bigger problem to face later. The reality is bed bugs have been an irritating fact of life for centuries—and they’re not going away anytime soon. By getting the pesky precautions out of the way early, you can focus on what truly matters: discovering your world and making memories with your favorite people.