Don’t Let the Bedbugs Bite! Prevention Tips for Summer Travel and How to Avoid Bringing Bedbugs Home
- Donna M
- 5 hours ago
- 5 min read
Summer is the perfect time for vacations, road trips, camping adventures, and family visits. But while you're making memories, there's one souvenir you definitely don't want to bring home: bedbugs.
Every year, increased travel leads to a rise in bedbugs after travel. Hotels, vacation rentals, airports, buses, cruise ships, and even movie theatres can all become places where these tiny pests hitch a ride. The good news is that a little awareness and bedbug prevention can go a long way.
Here, Sentry Pest Control will introduce you to what you need to know about bedbugs, how to know if you have bedbugs, and how to keep them from turning your vacation into an infestation.
What Are Bedbugs?
Bedbugs are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. Adult bedbugs are roughly the size of an apple seed and are experts at hiding in mattress seams, furniture, luggage, and tiny cracks around sleeping areas.
One of the biggest misconceptions about bedbugs is that they only infest dirty homes or low-budget hotels. In reality, bedbugs don't care how clean a space is. They simply go wherever people are, making luxury hotels just as susceptible as budget accommodations.
Because they don't fly or jump, bedbugs spread by crawling into luggage, backpacks, purses, clothing, and other personal belongings before travelling to their next destination.
Bedbug Facts You Should Know
Learning a few facts about bedbugs can help you identify an infestation early.
Bedbugs are most active at night when people are sleeping.
They are attracted by body heat and carbon dioxide—not dirt or clutter.
A single female bedbug can lay hundreds of eggs during her lifetime.
Bedbugs can survive for several months without feeding.
They are not known to transmit diseases, but their bites can cause itchy skin, allergic reactions, anxiety, and sleepless nights.
The sooner bedbugs are discovered, the easier and less expensive they are to eliminate.
How Do Bedbugs Get Into Your Home?
One of the most common causes of an infestation is bringing bedbugs home from vacation.
Imagine placing your suitcase on a hotel bed or carpet where bedbugs are hiding. They crawl into pockets, seams, or clothing and remain hidden during your trip home. Once inside your house, they move into your mattress, furniture, baseboards, or other hiding places where they begin reproducing.
It only takes a few hitchhikers to create a much larger problem over time.
How to Know if You Have Bedbugs
Knowing how to know if you have bedbugs is one of the best ways to stop an infestation before it spreads.
Watch for these common warning signs:
Bedbug Bites: Bedbug bites are often small, itchy, red welts that appear in clusters or straight lines on exposed skin. Keep in mind that some people show no reaction at all, so bites alone aren't a reliable way to confirm bedbugs.
Blood Stains on Bedding: Tiny reddish or rust-coloured stains on sheets or pillowcases can occur when bedbugs are accidentally crushed after feeding.
Dark Spots: Small black or brown specks around mattress seams, bed frames, or furniture may actually be bedbug droppings.
Shed Skins and Eggs: As bedbugs grow, they shed their outer shell. You may also find tiny white eggs or eggshells hidden in mattress seams, cracks, or upholstered furniture.
Live Bedbugs: Inspect mattress piping, box springs, headboards, nightstands, behind pictures, and nearby furniture if you suspect activity.
Bedbug Prevention Tips While Travelling
The best way to deal with bedbugs is to avoid bringing them home in the first place. These simple bedbug prevention tips from Sentry Pest Control can make all the difference.
Inspect Your Hotel Room: Before unpacking, inspect the mattress seams, headboard, and bedside furniture for dark spots, shed skins, live insects, or eggs.
Keep Your Suitcase Elevated: Always place luggage on a luggage rack rather than the bed, upholstered furniture, or floor whenever possible.
Protect Your Clothing: Keep clothing inside your suitcase or packing cubes instead of storing it in hotel drawers if you're unsure about the room.
Avoid Used Furniture: Carefully inspect second-hand mattresses, couches, and upholstered furniture before bringing them into your home.
Bedbug Prevention After You Return Home
Even if your trip went smoothly, taking a few extra precautions can prevent bedbugs after travel.
When you get home:
Unpack luggage in a garage, mudroom, or laundry room if possible.
Wash all clothing—including unworn clothes—in hot water whenever fabric care instructions allow.
Dry clothing on high heat for at least 30 minutes, as heat is highly effective at killing bedbugs and their eggs.
Vacuum your suitcase thoroughly inside and out before storing it.
Carefully inspect luggage, shoes, and personal items before bringing them into bedrooms.
These simple habits can dramatically reduce your risk of an infestation.
How to Get Rid of Bedbugs
If you discover bedbugs, acting quickly is essential.
While there are many DIY products available, successfully eliminating bedbugs is often much more challenging than people expect. Bedbugs hide in tiny spaces, reproduce quickly, and their eggs can survive many over-the-counter treatments.
If you suspect an infestation:
Avoid moving furniture between rooms.
Wash and dry bedding and clothing using high heat.
Reduce clutter around affected areas.
Avoid relying solely on DIY sprays, which often fail to eliminate the entire infestation.
The most effective solution is professional bedbug treatment.
Why Professional Bedbug Treatment Matters
Because bedbugs are incredibly resilient, professional treatment offers the best chance of completely eliminating an infestation.
A licensed professional bedbug exterminator such a one of our technicians with Sentry Pest Control can perform a thorough inspection, identify all hiding places, and recommend the most effective treatment options. Depending on the situation, treatments may include targeted applications, heat treatments, or an integrated pest management approach designed to eliminate bedbugs at every stage of their life cycle.
The earlier treatment begins, the easier it is to prevent bedbugs from spreading throughout your home.
Enjoy Your Summer—Not the Bedbugs
Summer vacations should end with unforgettable memories, not unwanted pests.
By following simple bedbug prevention practices while travelling and inspecting your belongings when you return home, you can greatly reduce the risk of bringing bedbugs into your house.
If you're wondering how to know if you have bedbugs, or you suspect you've brought bedbugs home after travel, don't wait. Early detection and professional treatment can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress.
At Sentry Pest Control, we understand how frustrating bedbugs can be. Our experienced pest control professionals provide thorough inspections and effective bedbug treatment to help you reclaim your home quickly, safely, and with confidence.
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