Intel: Avoiding Bedbugs
Use that luggage rack!
There's nothing more horrifying than the silent, blood thirsty insects that feed on your legs in the dark of an infested hotel room. Worse, is the possibility of your bringing them back into your own home, and ending up having to burn your mattress or fumigate your house. We've known several friends who have had that happen...so it's not a far fetched old-wive's tale.
Accordingly, when we travel, we take two very simple steps when entering our hotel rooms:
- NEVER put your luggage on soft surfaces like carpet, upholstered chairs, or the bed. Instead, put your luggage on an elevated luggage rack, or on a tiled floor, or on top of solid furniture. Bed bugs live in upholstery or carpet and can easily get into your luggage if it is touching it.
- Lift up the corner of the mattress, pull the sheets back, and inspect the underside for dark spots. If you see anything suspicious, request a room change.
Further reading:
AHLA Bed Bug Fact Sheet | AHLA
The hotel industry takes the health and safety of their guests very seriously, and that includes ensuring pest-control procedures are in place to prevent and eradicate any pests, including bedbugs, that might seek to invade their properties.
Bedbugs Are on the Rise in U.S. Hotels. Here’s How to Avoid Getting Bitten and Bringing Them Home with You.
Reports of bedbug bites in domestic and international hotels are increasing. But there are ways to avoid being nipped in the night and keeping stowaways from hitchhiking home. Here’s advice from an avid traveler who learned best practices the hard way.
Jen Murphy
Photo Credit: Debug Your Bed
In each publication, Syllogi will share various tips, resources, and other odd bits of helpful information we have happened across in our research.
