Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite

Monday is Labor Day, which means a three-day weekend. Which means it’s time for the usual holiday advisories: Don’t drink and drive, practice safe sex, and be sure to freeze your suitcase when you get home.



Huh?

That’s right. It’s not just sleeping around that has its consequences. Simply sleeping can have repercussions—especially while traveling. Bed bug infestations are on the rise, says the U.S. National Pest Management Association, to the tune of a 71% increase since 2001. And like a psychotic trick who cops a look at your address on your ID, this sort of trouble can follow you home and make your life miserable.



“One of the easiest ways to infest your home is when you bring bed bugs with
you in your luggage,” says Eric Chavez, California District Manager with
HomeTeam Pest Defense.



What can you do to protect yourself from unwanted visitors? Keep your ID away from the prying eyes of hookups, and consider the following steps in bed bug protection:

• Don’t ever put your luggage on the bed. Use the luggage rack and make sure you pull it away from the wall.




• Don’t unpack your clothes in the hotel drawers. Living out of your suitcase may be less convenient, but it’s safer.




• Travel with a flashlight. Use it to check the headboard and under the drawers in the end tables. Lift up the mattress and look underneath. Check the sheets and pillows, particularly the seams. You’re looking for both bed bugs and any telltale black or brown blood spots.




• Don’t hesitate to ask for a new room if you see any signs of bed bugs.




• When you’re ready to check out, pack all of your clothes into plastic bags. When you get home, put those clothes immediately in the washer or take them to the dry cleaners.




• Grab the vacuum and thoroughly vacuum out your suitcase.




• Consider freezing your clothes. This may sound excessive, but it’s an excellent way to kill off those bed bugs.

For more information on how to protect yourself from bed bugs, click here.