You unpack your suitcase, toss your clothes in the hamper, and settle back into your routine. A few days later, you notice bites along your arm; tiny, red, in a neat little line. You brush it off until they show up again. That’s when it clicks: you didn’t come home alone.
Bed bugs don’t care if you stayed at a five-star hotel or a budget motel. They’re not drawn to dirt, they’re drawn to people, and more specifically, to the carbon dioxide and warmth your body gives off when you sleep.
That’s why they love mattresses, couches, and headboards. They wait until you’re still, then crawl out of hiding for a blood meal. They don’t jump or fly, but they’re experts at sneaking into your life and staying unnoticed for weeks.
Prevent Bringing Bed Bugs Home
Before You Get to the Hotel Room
Here’s where most people slip up: they drop their bags on the bed the second they arrive. Don’t. That’s the easiest way to give bed bugs a free ride home. Instead, stash your luggage in the bathroom or on a hard surface while you inspect the room.
Pull back the corners of the sheets and check the mattress seams, especially near the head. You’re not just looking for bugs; you’re also checking for rust-colored smears, black dots (fecal stains), or tiny white eggs. Check behind the headboard if you can. These bugs are flat and tiny, about the size of an apple seed, and they hide during the day.
Keep Your Stuff Separate
If the room looks fine, you’re still not in the clear. Bed bugs have been found in clean hotel rooms and luxury resorts across every major city. They hide in wall sockets, picture frames, and the seams of upholstered chairs. That’s why it’s smart to use a luggage stand and keep your clothes in sealed plastic bags or packing cubes.
Never store anything on the floor, and zip your suitcase when it’s not in use. If you’re staying for more than a night or two, try not to unpack completely.
When You Get Home, Treat It Like Containment
Before your suitcase hits the bedroom floor, think like someone in quarantine. Take your luggage straight to a hard-surfaced area, like the garage, balcony, or bathroom, and start emptying it with intention.
Wash everything that went on the trip, even if you didn’t wear it. Hot water and a high-heat dryer cycle kill all stages of bed bugs, including eggs. If you can’t wash something, seal it in a plastic bag and leave it in the freezer for at least four days. Bed bugs die when exposed to temperatures below 0°F for an extended period.
Vacuum out your luggage, paying attention to seams and folds. If you want to be thorough, use a handheld steamer. Bed bugs can’t survive temperatures above 120°F, and direct heat is lethal.
Don’t Wait Until You See One
Here’s the thing: by the time you spot a bed bug crawling on your wall, you probably already have an infestation. They’re masters of staying hidden. A single female can lay hundreds of eggs in her lifetime, and those eggs hatch in about 6–10 days. The longer you wait, the harder and more expensive it is to get rid of them.
Early signs include itchy bites, dark spots on sheets or pillowcases, and a musty odor. If you’re unsure, hire a pest control company that uses trained bed bug detection dogs—they can sniff out live bugs even when you can’t see a thing.
Bottom Line? Travel Like They’re Always There
You don’t have to stop traveling. You just have to stop pretending bed bugs only show up in horror stories. They’re real, they’re persistent, and they’re hard to get rid of once they’ve settled in.
Treat every hotel like it’s got a 1-star rating for pest control. Be that person who checks the mattress. Be the weirdo who launders everything right away. It’s a small hassle now that saves you months of stress, and possibly thousands in extermination fees.
Hire a Professional – ABC Termite & Pest Control Company – Omaha & Lincoln
If you’re concerned about pest infestations or want a professional to evaluate your home’s pest prevention strategies, don’t hesitate to reach out to a local Nebraska pest control expert.
Find a reputable pest control company in Omaha or Lincoln that you TRUST. Ask about their termite inspection and pest management services. You may think you are saving money, however, a single misapplication could have significant and adverse or deadly consequences for you or your loved ones. Contact ABC Termite & Pest Control in Omaha & Lincoln, NE to talk with an exterminator today!
