Bed bugs hitchhike home in luggage, and hotel rooms are one of the most common pickup points. The good news: two simple habits eliminate the vast majority of the risk.
The team at Burns Pest Elimination breaks down exactly what to do with bags while traveling and after coming home. Watch the video, then read on for the key takeaways.
Where Should the Bag Go in the Hotel Room?
Keep it off the bed. As the team puts it, “never put your bag on your bed.” Bed bugs concentrate where people sleep, so luggage sitting on the mattress or bedding gives them a direct path inside. A luggage rack, a hard floor, or even the bathroom are all better options.
What About When Returning Home?
Don’t bring the bag into the bedroom. Keep it in a hallway, laundry room, or garage until it’s been unpacked and checked. These two habits—luggage off the bed during travel, luggage out of the sleeping area at home—address 99.9 percent of bed bug problems before they start.
Why Sleeping Areas Are the Danger Zone
Bed bugs aren’t attracted to bags. They’re attracted to the carbon dioxide and body heat of a sleeping person. As the team explains, “They’re not going to go to your empty bag.” An unoccupied suitcase sitting away from where someone sleeps simply isn’t a target. Move the luggage, and the risk moves with it.
For bed bug questions the video doesn’t cover, Burns Pest Elimination can discuss your concerns at (877) 735-9189.