3 Ways to Keep Pests from Hitching a Ride During Peak Travel Season this Summer

The summer of jet skis, beach hopping, and adventure is in full swing! According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the summer of 2024 has been one of the busiest travel seasons, as record-breaking numbers continue to surge.

With that said, now is the time to double-check those bags for more than just the prohibited items you’d need to toss before boarding a plane. Scanning your belongings—and the smallest nooks and crannies of your carry-on and suitcase—is the best way to ensure you don't transport unwanted guests like bed bugs and other pests that can hitchhike onto your luggage as you travel.

While regular inspections from a licensed pest-control professional are always advised as the best line of defense to help you avoid an infestation, here are a few other prevention tips to keep in mind while traveling along with millions of others this summer:

Step 1: Look for openings and entry points to safeguard against pests

Upon arrival at your destination, inspect the windows and patio doors for entry points, particularly screens. If you see visible screen holes, contact the hotel management to seal, repair, or ensure the windows and doors are closed. Another area where pests can hide is in closets or small storage areas throughout the room. Most properties have relationships with licensed pest professionals who can come to assess, confirm, and treat the infestations accordingly. If you are uncomfortable staying in the space, ask the manager to provide an alternate room or storage while the treatment is underway.

Step 2: Perform a thorough inspection for bed bugs and other pests before unpacking:

According to American Pest Technical Director and PhD Entomologist Dr. Daniel Kiefer, you can spot bed bug activity by checking for bugs (both living and dead) and for their shedded skin in and around areas within your hotel—such as your mattress seams and box springs, behind your headboards, and even inside the drawers.

It is also important to note that a well-kept room doesn’t determine the likelihood of a bed bug infestation. No matter the accommodations, whether you’re checking into a five-star hotel, an Instagram-friendly Airbnb, or a basic motel, bed bugs and other pests might still occupy the space. 

Step 3: Keep your suitcases and baggage elevated as much as possible:

In an ideal situation, most hotels or Airbnbs will have stationary furniture, such as a luggage rack, for guests to prop their baggage up during their stay. However, this is not always guaranteed. In this case, keeping your suitcases and other baggage off the floor, whether by using elevated stands or on top of other furniture, such as a dresser or countertop, is one preventative way to keep any pests from crawling into your belongings during your trip.

Similar to mosquitoes, bed bugs are attracted to warmth, carbon dioxide, and blood. One primary way they can make their way into your luggage is by transferring from you to your clothes, and finally, into your suitcases.

Step 4: Immediately inspect and clean your luggage when you return home:

To be cautious and ensure you don't have any bugs hitchhiking on your luggage, we recommend unpacking your luggage in your garage or outside after you get home. This gives you the space to pull items out and inspect them closely. Immediately washing and drying your laundry on high heat is a great way to eliminate any bed bugs or their eggs. It also allows you to empty the majority of your suitcase that you should then vacuum(both inside and outside) and wipe down to make sure it's pest-free. 

Bed bugs, opportunistic outdoor insects, and other pests can easily enter your hotel room or rented space and then hide in your luggage for the trip back home. With these tips in mind, you’ll lessen your chances of having pests ruin your trip and invade your home. In the unfortunate event that you discover hitchhiking pests after returning from vacation, contact a local pest management expert for quality pest control services and maintenance plans.

Source:

Dr. Daniel Kiefer is a PhD entomologist and the technical director at American Pest, a pest control company with almost 100 years of pest management experience in Maryland, DC, and Virginia.