How to Stop and Protect Against Bed Bugs
Can Bed Bugs Travel With You?
They sure can! Bed bugs are tiny but relentless travelers. If you have an infestation at home or unknowingly pick one up during a trip, these pests can easily hitch a ride without your knowledge. They don’t need a suitcase or a boarding pass; a dark corner of your backpack, a fold in your jacket, or even the seams of your luggage are all they need to tag along. And that’s what makes them such a nightmare: you could be spreading them from place to place without even realizing it.
How Bed Bugs Get Around
Bed bugs don’t leap or fly; they crawl. Slowly. But they make up for speed with stealth. Hiding in mattress seams, clothing folds, and luggage linings, they’ll patiently wait for you to carry them from one location to the next. One vacation can turn into a costly extermination if you’re not careful. They’re resourceful survivors that can go months without feeding, which makes them even trickier to detect and eliminate without professional help.
Bed Bug Hot Spots: Where to Check When Traveling
When staying somewhere new, be proactive. Here’s where to look:
- Mattress seams and box springs
- Behind headboards and nightstands
- Upholstered chairs and couches
- Inside drawers and closet corners
- Around luggage racks or carpet edges
If you spot rust-colored stains, eggs, or the bugs themselves (about the size and color of an apple seed), it’s time to alert the host or switch hotels. Always do a visual scan before unpacking. Trust us: it’s less awkward than explaining why you brought pests back home.
6 Tips to Protect Against Bed Bugs While Traveling
- Inspect the Room Before Settling In
- Keep Luggage Off the Bed and Floor
- Use Protective Luggage Liners
- Seal Dirty Clothes in Plastic Bags
- Vacuum and Wash Everything After Returning
- Avoid Bringing in Used Furniture Without Inspection
Small habits like these can make a big difference, especially when you’re on the move.
3 Early Signs of Bed Bugs (And Where to Spot Them)
Detecting bed bugs early makes treatment easier and cheaper. Here are three telltale signs and where to look:
- Small Blood Stains on Sheets or Pillowcases
- These rusty red smears often come from accidentally crushing a recently fed bed bug while tossing and turning in bed. They’re typically small and scattered, appearing on sheets, mattress covers, or pajamas.
- Where to check:
- Edges of fitted sheets
- Underside of pillows and pillowcases
- Mattress seams and tags
- The corners of your box spring
- Even a few unexplained stains are worth investigating. Think of them as your first breadcrumb trail toward identifying the problem.
- Shed Skins, Eggs, and Droppings
- As bed bugs grow, they molt, leaving pale, translucent exoskeletons behind. They also lay minuscule white eggs (about 1mm) and leave behind droppings that look like peppery black dots.
- Where to look:
- Creases in the mattress
- Inside bed frame joints
- Cracks in wood furniture
- Behind picture frames, electrical outlets, or wallpaper
- You may also see signs on vertical surfaces like walls, particularly if the infestation is spreading. Fecal spots may even bleed into fabric or paint, making them look smudged. If you find multiple indicators in the same area, especially near sleeping spaces, call it what it likely is: a bed bug hotspot.
- Itchy, Red Bites in a Cluster
- Bed bug bites often appear in a line or cluster, typically in areas exposed during sleep, such as arms, shoulders, and neck. These bites may not be immediately noticeable, but often become red and itchy within hours.
- Bonus tip: Some people show no reaction to bites, while others develop severe welts. If multiple people in the home develop similar bite marks, that’s a red flag. The more symmetrical the patterns, the more likely bed bugs are to blame. Bites alone aren’t a definitive sign—but when paired with other indicators, they’re hard to ignore.
Honorable Mention: Musty Odor
A heavy infestation can produce a subtle, musty odor—sometimes described as moldy, sweet, or like “overripe raspberries.” If your room smells off and you’ve noticed other signs, it’s time to investigate. Your nose knows.
What to Do If You Find Bed Bugs
If you’re traveling and suspect an infestation:
- Alert hotel staff immediately.
- Request a new room far from the affected one.
- Keep belongings sealed in bags.
At home? Call the pros at Fox Pest Control. DIY treatments may kill a few bugs, but rarely all of them. Missing just one can lead to reinfestation in weeks, making early professional intervention essential.
Professional Help From Fox Pest Control
Bed bugs are resilient and sneaky. At Fox Pest Control, we specialize in thorough inspections, strategic treatments, and giving our customers peace of mind. Don’t let a few bites become a full-blown infestation. Trust the professionals who know how to stop them in their tracks.
