Bed Bug Awareness Week 2020: Hotel Room Hotspots

In our last post, you learned the truth about some of the most common bed bug myths. So now the question is: how can you avoid a bed bug infestation? One of the most common ways that people encounter bed bugs in Georgia is through travel. Read on to learn some quick tips to protect yourself during hotel room stays.

1. When you first get to your hotel room, leave your luggage and personal items in the bathroom until you have done an inspection. This is the least likely place for bed bugs to hide, so it reduces the chance of a bug finding its way into your things before you’ve had a chance to check out the room.
2. We would recommend using a flashlight while inspecting. (Most cell phones are now equipped with a light you could use.) This will help you get a better look at targeted areas.
3. Bed bugs are most likely to be found on…you guessed it: the bed. They typically will gather around the seams of the mattress so you can start by checking those areas around the bed, focusing on the corners. Another red flag would be brown or black spots on the sheets or mattress caused by the bugs’ fecal matter.

Now for the less obvious hideouts, check behind framed photos, headboards, and nightstands. While these aren’t the bugs’ number one destination, they could certainly be found in these areas. We would recommend checking these locations out before making yourself at home in the hotel room.

After you get home, inspect your suitcase and its contents before bringing it inside. Wash and dry anything that was in your luggage and vacuum the suitcase as an added precaution.

If you do see any sign of infestation after a trip, schedule a free inspection with one of our experts. If an infestation is caught early on it will be easier to eradicate and control the bed bugs in Georgia.