Firstly, let’s dispel a myth. Bed bugs do not discriminate, they love upmarket 5-star hotels as much as cheap and not so cheerful motels and youth hostels. They are natures ultimate stowaways and squatters. In this article, we provide some top tips to avoid them catching a one-way ticket with you back to Vancouver.
We are only three weeks away from June and for many British Columbian’s that means one thing…vacation time!
However, bed bugs are prodigious travellers and love to make their home in a wide variety of holiday accommodations. Plus, they are equally happy to end their vacation to come live with you.
As Western Canada’s original K9 bed bug detection service provider, we have years of experience to call upon. Below are some very simple yet highly effective things you can do to reduce the chance of bed bugs creeping into your luggage.
1. Don’t be fooled by price
Just because you are paying $250 per night, does not mean that you are guaranteed to be sleeping on a brand new, never been used, mattress. Bed bugs find their way into every location they reside in by hitching a ride in holiday makers’ belongings.
2. Store your luggage away from your bed
While bed bugs can live in chairs, wall cavities, window ledges, and even electrical sockets, the majority do lie in wait deep within a mattress. Therefore, it is advisable to store your luggage some distance from your bed, ideally a few feet off the floor, as bed bugs do not fly, they crawl.
3. Use plastic bags for all your belongings
We advise you to pack clothing and other items in transparent sealable bags. This helps to create a barrier between bugs and your clothes and other belongings. Either vacuum storage bags or zip-lock bags are perfect at keeping bed bugs off your clothing.
4. Launder your clothes before you pack them home
Most travellers, pack their dirty clothes in their luggage and launder it at home - DON’T! Bed bugs love to crawl into suitcases and backpacks and hide. We strongly recommend you wash, dry and fold away your clean clothes in sealed plastic bags.
5. Inspect your belongings
Never assume that bed bugs will only hide in luggage. Please do a visual check of ALL items you intend to take home with you. This includes your toiletries bag, handbags, beach towels, electrical items such as hairdryers, laptops, or stereos. A bed bug won’t mind spending a few hours hiding away in a piece of tech if there is the promise of a nice comfy bed or sofa at the final destination.
By following the above five steps, you will massively reduce the chances of taking bed bugs home with you. However, nothing is failsafe, so if you want the ultimate peace of mind, give Spot On K9 Detection a call so that we can conduct a canine bed bug inspection for you. If you have brought back a single bed bug, we guarantee that Rio our bed bug dog will sniff it out.
To take advantage of our K9 bed bug detection services, please contact us on 7788556768 or email us.
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