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Sep 03
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For anyone who travels around for business or pleasure a lot there is something you should be aware of – there can sometimes be bed bugs in hotels
Bed bugs over the last three or four years have increased in numbers at an amazing rate around the USA. Homes, hospitals, nursing homes and hotels have all been infested. Bed bugs in hotels do not discriminate – they like five star accommodation too, so by avoiding cheap, grotty motels and hotels you will not be certain to avoid bed bugs!
Why have bed bugs made such a come back? The main reason for this is down to the chemicals which once killed many of the common bugs being taken off the market. These chemicals were dangerous both for humans and pets as well as the environment, they included chemicals such as DDT. At present there are many chemicals to replace them but they do not have as broad spectrum and only deal with one type of bug say for example cock roaches. Somehow, bed bugs have been left to create havoc!
How would you recognise a bed bug? Bed bugs are flat and oval in appearance and measure around 1/4 inch in length when fully grown. They are a reddish brown in colour and their favourite meal it blood – human blood. Although your household pets such as dogs and cats will also suffer if there are no humans around.
Where will you find bed bugs? These pests are nocturnal so will hide out in all sorts of weird places during the day. Favourite hiding places are usually in any cracks or crevices in walls, in carpets, bed frames, bed box springs, mattresses in particular along seams, around buttons or handles and in any folds. But don’t be fooled you will also find them in some very unlikely places too – like for alarm clocks, picture frames, even smoke alarms. If think there are bed bugs in your hotel it is better you find them before they find you.
How can you avoid bed bugs in hotels? Well, the easiest way is to manually inspect the hotel room yourself BEFORE unpacking your cases. Probably the best place to start is the bed, remove the sheets etc. and carefully look at the mattress – bed bugs particularly like living in the folds of the fabric so look along seams, around decorative buttons, around handles on the side of the mattress. Next, lift the mattress and inspect the bed frame particularly right beside the headboard. Remember the beds box spring also if it has one. Signs that bed bugs are in residence are often the dark faecal marks they leave behind and blood smears where bugs have been squashed. Other places to check include the furniture – thoroughly check inside closets and drawers before you any clothing in them. If you discover any peeling wall coverings or cracks and crevices in the wall or floor look at these closely, you will probably no see any live bugs but there should be faecal marks if they are around.If you have any doubts DO NOT UNPACK. This may be very inconvenient but to avoid your belongings becoming infested keep everything inside your suite case and keep the suite case zipped! The same should be done with any smaller luggage such as bags and laptop cases. Remember also to keep your luggage off the floor!
How do bed bugs in hotels arrive there? The truth of the matter is they have most definitely hitched a ride in someone’s luggage or clothing from their home or a different hotel. Constant travellers for example airline crew, salesmen and so on can very easily pick up these uninvited guests without being aware and start many infestations at various locations.
Got bed bug bites? What do you do? First of all don’t panic for the majority of bed bug bite victims the only ill effects are the red rash, welts or bumps which become visible on the skin. A visit to the nearest drug store to buy some medication like for example hydrocortisone or antihistamine tablets should relieve the itch. Avoid scratching the bites as this may cause them to become infected. In which case medical treatment might become essential. Next, tell the management that they have a problem and leave as quickly as possible.
What next? If there were bed bugs in your hotel only remove your belongings in one closed off room of your home and do not unpack in another hotel room. If you possibly can place all clothing, shoes etc. in sealed plastic bags before leaving the infested hotel room. Once you reach home take clothing from the bags and wash on a hot cycle. Items which are not suitable for laundering should be put in a tumble dryer on a hot setting for about 10 minutes. This should kill the bed bugs at all stages of development. Items which cannot be treated in this way say for example business suits you perhaps could try using a steam cleaning machine on them as steam is a successful way to kill bed bugs. Make sure you get rid of any unnecessary items such as magazines, newspapers and so on in sealed plastic bags. Check all suit cases and other luggage thoroughly you may want to spray them with a green bed bug spray such as Bed Bug Bully, which will kill any bed bugs without a nasty chemical smell.
It is vital that once you have dealt with clothing etc. that you carefully clean all work tops and flooring with disinfectant to prevent any spread of the bed bugs.
Don’t let bed bugs in hotels spoil you vacation – just be vigilant!













