Four days of clothing. Check. Toothbrush. Check. Hairdryer. Check. Money for toll booths. Check. Are you traveling somewhere for Thanksgiving? What does your checklist look like? Whether it is long or short, we hope you have bed bug prevention on it. More and more families are finding out the hard way that holiday vacations can end with a bed bug infestation.

What You May Not Know About Bed Bugs

When bed bugs infest a home, it isn’t obvious at first. Initially, bites are caused by immature nymphs. These bites are small and are not generally accompanied by a rash. So, even if you’re not staying at a hotel or motel on the way to visit family or friends for Thanksgiving, you could still pick bed bugs up. And, keep in mind that bed bugs don’t just infest dirty homes. They can be in the cleanest of homes. It is important to always do a check anytime you stay somewhere.

Bed Bug Checklist

• Know what a bed bug looks like. Before you leave, take a look at some bed bugs with your family. Look at bed bug eggs, immature bed bug nymphs, and adult bed bugs. Also, look at the difference between an engorged bed bug and an unfed bed bug.

• Do a quick inspection of your room before you bring your stuff in. Check mattress seams, boxspring seams, sheets, blankets, pillowcases, baseboards, outlets, and the stitching on upholstered furniture for black patches, black smears, tiny white eggs, shed insect skins, dried blood stains, or bed bugs.

• During your stay, never leave dirty laundry around. A recent study has proven a link between laundry and bed bugs. These insects are drawn to our scent. When we shed clothing, it becomes a lure for bed bugs. Always put your clothing in a plastic bag when you’re done wearing it.

• When you return home, be sure to wash all of your clothing on the hottest temperature. This will kill any eggs or immature nymphs present.

If you add this short checklist to your Thanksgiving list you can significantly reduce your chances of bringing a bed bug infestation home with you. But bed bugs can hitchhike into our homes any time of the year, and in many different ways. If you ever have an issue with bed bugs, reach out to Schendel Pest Services. We use the most advanced bed bug protocols to resolve bed bug infestations efficiently and effectively. We’ll help you get rid of those bugs.