How to Check for Bed Bugs When Traveling

Despite their name, bed bugs can infest any area. Their ideal environment consists of temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit and areas where food is readily accessible. Although common in dark, warm bedrooms, you can also find them in most places where people congregate. This means you should know how to spot bed bugs in Memphis, TN, when you travel.

Check Your Seat on Buses, Trains, and Planes

Even when you’re on the move, you should know how to check for bed bugs. These pests can thrive on a wide range of materials, but they’re especially fond of fabric and upholstery. Look for them before sitting on an upholstered seat on any type of public transportation. 

Look closely at the seams in the seat and in the back of the seat where it meets the back. If you have never seen a bed bug, they can be harder to spot. Essentially, they look like apple seeds. You can also look for dark stains on the fabric. Alert an attendant to the possibility of a bed bug infestation if you do find evidence of a problem.

Know How to Check for Bed Bugs in Memphis, TN, Within Your Hotel Room

In a hotel room, it’s a little easier to do a more thorough inspection. The first thing you should do upon entering your room is to pull back the bedding. Look for rust-colored stains, which are the blood droppings bed bugs leave after biting a sleeping person. You should also look for shell casings since these pests do shed their shells. Look for waste droppings as well.

What Should You Do About Bed Bugs on the Road?

Ideally, knowing how to check for bed bugs in Memphis, TN, and on the road will help you avoid them. In practice, however, it might not be feasible to take a different flight or move to a different hotel upon finding an infestation. 

If you’re forced to share accommodations with bed bugs, make sure you keep your belongings elevated. Don’t use hotel dressers. Instead, hang everything in closets and use overhead compartments. Check your luggage for bed bugs as you pack for the return trip home. When you arrive home, put all of your clothes in the dryer for 15 minutes to kill any bed bugs stowing away in your luggage. 

Eliminate Pests Before They Become a Nuisance

Dart Pest, Lawn, & Wildlife provides services to prevent and remove pest infestations. Whether you have a bed bug problem, another insect infestation, or you’re concerned about wild rodents, we can help. To schedule your pest control service, contact us today.