\n<\/p>\n
You unpack your suitcase, toss your clothes in the hamper, and settle back into your routine. A few days later, you notice bites along your arm; tiny, red, in a neat little line. You brush it off until they show up again. That\u2019s when it clicks: you didn\u2019t come home alone.<\/p>\n
Bed bugs don\u2019t care if you stayed at a five-star hotel or a budget motel. They\u2019re not drawn to dirt, they\u2019re drawn to people, and more specifically, to the carbon dioxide and warmth your body gives off when you sleep.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why they love mattresses, couches, and headboards. They wait until you\u2019re still, then crawl out of hiding for a blood meal. They don\u2019t jump or fly, but they\u2019re experts at sneaking into your life and staying unnoticed for weeks. Here\u2019s where most people slip up: they drop their bags on the bed the second they arrive. Don\u2019t. That\u2019s the easiest way to give bed bugs a free ride home. Instead, stash your luggage in the bathroom or on a hard surface while you inspect the room.<\/p>\n Pull back the corners of the sheets and check the mattress seams, especially near the head. You\u2019re not just looking for bugs; you\u2019re also checking for rust-colored smears, black dots (fecal stains), or tiny white eggs. Check behind the headboard if you can. These bugs are flat and tiny, about the size of an apple seed, and they hide during the day.<\/p>\n If the room looks fine, you\u2019re still not in the clear. Bed bugs have been found in clean hotel rooms and luxury resorts across every major city. They hide in wall sockets, picture frames, and the seams of upholstered chairs. That\u2019s why it\u2019s smart to use a luggage stand and keep your clothes in sealed plastic bags or packing cubes.<\/p>\n Never store anything on the floor, and zip your suitcase when it\u2019s not in use. If you\u2019re staying for more than a night or two, try not to unpack completely.<\/p>\n Before your suitcase hits the bedroom floor, think like someone in quarantine. Take your luggage straight to a hard-surfaced area, like the garage, balcony, or bathroom, and start emptying it with intention.<\/p>\n Wash everything that went on the trip, even if you didn\u2019t wear it. Hot water and a high-heat dryer cycle kill all stages of bed bugs, including eggs. If you can\u2019t wash something, seal it in a plastic bag and leave it in the freezer for at least four days. Bed bugs die when exposed to temperatures below 0\u00b0F for an extended period.<\/p>\n Vacuum out your luggage, paying attention to seams and folds. If you want to be thorough, use a handheld steamer. Bed bugs can\u2019t survive temperatures above 120\u00b0F, and direct heat is lethal.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the thing: by the time you spot a bed bug crawling on your wall, you probably already have an infestation. They\u2019re masters of staying hidden. A single female can lay hundreds of eggs in her lifetime, and those eggs hatch in about 6\u201310 days. The longer you wait, the harder and more expensive it is to get rid of them.<\/p>\n Early signs include itchy bites, dark spots on sheets or pillowcases, and a musty odor. If you\u2019re unsure, hire a pest control company that uses trained bed bug detection dogs\u2014they can sniff out live bugs even when you can\u2019t see a thing.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t have to stop traveling. You just have to stop pretending bed bugs only show up in horror stories. They\u2019re real, they\u2019re persistent, and they\u2019re hard to get rid of once they\u2019ve settled in.<\/p>\n Treat every hotel like it\u2019s got a 1-star rating for pest control. Be that person who checks the mattress. Be the weirdo who launders everything right away. It\u2019s a small hassle now that saves you months of stress, and possibly thousands in extermination fees.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re concerned about pest infestations or want a professional to evaluate your home\u2019s pest prevention strategies, don\u2019t hesitate to reach out to a local Nebraska pest control expert.<\/p>\n Find a reputable pest control company in Omaha or Lincoln that you TRUST. Ask about their termite inspection and pest management services. You may think you are saving money, however, a single misapplication could have significant and adverse or deadly consequences for you or your loved ones. Contact ABC Termite & Pest Control<\/a> in Omaha & Lincoln, NE to talk with an exterminator today!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\nPrevent Bringing Bed Bugs Home<\/h2>\n
Before You Get to the Hotel Room<\/h2>\n
Keep Your Stuff Separate<\/h3>\n
When You Get Home, Treat It Like Containment<\/h3>\n
Don\u2019t Wait Until You See One<\/h3>\n
Bottom Line? Travel Like They\u2019re Always There<\/h3>\n
Hire a Professional \u2013 ABC Termite & Pest Control Company \u2013 Omaha<\/a> & Lincoln<\/a><\/h2>\n