Don’t Let the Bedbugs Bite! 10 Ways to Avoid Hotel Bedbugs
Remember when you were a kid and your parents would say, “don’t let the bedbugs bite” when tucking you in at night? It has a completely different meaning today, especially if you are planning a stay at a hotel.
Bedbugs are increasingly becoming an issue in public spaces, and hotels are one of the most popular places where bedbugs like to set up shop.
These unwelcome guests can cause itching, redness and even welts. However, they can also be a costly issue if you bring them home to you. Once you get bedbugs, it not only causes discomfort, it can also cost you time and money to get rid of these critters.
Rather than dealing with the issue once it happens, using the following tips will reduce the odds of getting bitten:
- Inspect the room before you do anything. Don’t open your suitcase, and don’t put any personal items on the bed until you take a peek.
- Pull back the linens and check all areas of the bed. Look for small black dots that look similar to ground pepper.
- Check everywhere else. Bedbugs are not contained to the bed. They can be almost anywhere in the room.
- Keep your bags and personal items off the floor. Place all items on a desk or bag stand.
- Teach your kids about bedbugs. If one family member has them in their room, the odds are they will find their way into everyone’s suitcases and items.
- If you suspect bedbugs, request a new room. It’s recommended that you move at least two floors away, as they tend to spread from room to room.
- Read reviews about the hotel. One of the best ways to see if a hotel has had bedbug issues in the past is to read reviews online. Previous customers will tell you if they had issues with bedbugs.
- Stay at reputable hotel chains. They say you get what you pay for. While staying at a well-known chain may not fully eliminate the odds of bedbugs being present, they are more likely to have a bedbug plan and will accommodate you.
- If you have the signs of bedbug bites, have a professional inspect your home. Better to be safe than sorry.
- Wash all your clothes as soon as you get home, even if you didn’t wear them. Wash in hot water. Also make sure to inspect your suitcase when you get home.
Following these tips will help you reduce the odds of having a bedbug issue. Tell us about what you do to reduce the odds of having issues with these critters.
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