Spring break is that much anticipated time of the year to escape from the winter doldrums whether you are a college student, teacher, business owner, or simply a family looking for some quality relaxation. Public transportation buses and planes are full; hotels are crowded and overbooked. Everyone is scrambling for that perfect spot to celebrate, leaving all worries behind.
The last thing on your mind is checking for unwanted pests and unexpected visitors but the reality is that adult bed bugs have become an epidemic across the nation and could put a serious damper on your vacation or leave you with some unwanted souvenirs. You may ask, “What do bed bugs look like, how can I avoid bed bugs while traveling, and how do you get rid of bed bugs if they become a problem?”
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
An adult bed bug may be bigger than you would expect. They are reddish-brown and are somewhat oval-shaped, about the size of an apple seed. (Insert a picture of an adult bed bug) As you look for the presence of bed bugs, you will also want to watch for signs of excrement and dead, light brown skins that have shed from growing bed bugs.
How Can I Avoid Bed Bugs While Traveling?
Now that you know what to look for, we highly recommend inspecting your hotel room for bed bugs and the signs mentioned above. Our Washington D.C. pest control friends at American Pest have put together an instructional video on this topic. Click here to watch. Look closely at the bedding, especially the ribbing around your mattress and the cracks and crevices in the bed frame. Keep your suitcase off the floor as bed bugs hide in the carpet. When you get on the plane or bus, examine your surroundings. Anytime you are around people, you stand the risk of being exposed to bed bugs. Upon arriving home from your vacation, examine all luggage and clothing for any signs of these unwanted guests.
How Do I Get Rid Of Bed Bugs?
Living in the Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky area allows you to call for The Action Advantage. Action Pest Control has been serving both residential and commercial customers with quality pest control for more than 67 years and has expanded to five branch locations with guaranteed 24-hour emergency service response. When you contact Action for bed bug control in Louisville or elsewhere in our service area, our highly trained bed bug dogs can identify the presence of bed bugs, nymphs, and eggs with 98% accuracy. Learn more about our bed bug dog detection services. If bed bugs are present, our experts in bed bug removal will develop a plan that addresses infestations, likely with our state-of-the-art bed bug heat treatments.