If you’ve been planning to travel for the longest time, the last thing you want is to get infested with bedbugs.

These dreadful parasitic insects are tiny and brownish in color. They exclusively feed on blood and are especially drawn to human blood. Since they prefer feeding during the night, they notoriously cause sleepless nights among residents.

Failing to take appropriate measures puts you at a higher risk of carrying bed bugs back home. Rather than incurring the high cost to letting bed bugs hitchhike home with you, take suitable steps to steer clear of these parasites during and after your travel.

5 Tips For Avoiding Bed Bugs While Traveling

Inspect Your Room Carefully

Before unpacking your luggage and jumping onto the hotel bed, check your room carefully to avoid this unsightly creepy crawlies. Check if they are using bed bug proof mattress covers.

Look out for tiny brown bugs that are similar to small cockroaches. When you squish them, they emit a pungent smell and appear reddish.

Inspect the corners of your bed and the edges of your mattress before settling in. you can also examine the curtains and carpets for bed bugs. If you find them, request for another room or check into a different hotel.

Place Your Luggage on an Elevated Surface

After inspecting your room carefully to ensure it is safe, avoid keeping your bags on the floor. Placing your luggage directly on the ground allows bed bugs travelling from other rooms to access your luggage more easily.

Remember, these ghastly bugs could be brought in by other travelers visiting the hotel. One good idea you could implement is placing your bags atop a dresser or upon a luggage rack.

Check Your Car Seats for Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are hardy creatures that thrive in the toughest conditions. They can live in the seat of your rental car, cab, train or aircraft. So before heading out, inspect your seat.

If you spot small, black dots trailing along the surface of your seat, request for a different seat. These dots are primarily feces left behind by bedbugs. Rent a different vehicle or move to a different position if travelling by train.

Photo by Moyan Brenn via Travelbusy.com

Wash Your Clothes Before Leaving

When it’s finally time to check out from your hotel room, take a few minutes to wash your clothes. Sure, you’ll probably wash them when you get home, but you could risk carrying some unfriendly bugs home with you.

Bedbugs are highly attracted to suitcases, clothes and dark areas, so it’s easy to take them with you. Soak your clothes in a basin of hot water and use a high heat dryer afterwards. This will kill any bedbugs that manage to cling onto your clothes.

Wrap Your Bags in Airtight Plastics

Since bedbugs love hiding in dark, porous materials, they’ll quickly habituate your luggage and start multiplying there. Here’s a solution: try wrapping your bags with plastic covers when travelling.

Suitcases belonging to other travelers may harbor bed bugs, so it’s important to cover your luggage before getting to the airport. Make prior arrangements to buy sealable plastic bags that can effectively shield your luggage.

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Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind Waking Up Wild; an online magazine dedicated to opening your eyes to the wonders of the wild & natural world.

Having visited 50+ countries across all seven continents, Megan’s travels focus on cultural immersion, authentic discovery and incredible journeys. She has a strong passion for ecotourism, and aims to promote responsible travel experiences.