When traveling domestically or internationally, take steps to avoid a future
bedbug infestation. Failing to do so could mean that you’re going to take
bedbugs home with you. Follow the SLEEP acronym to avoid such problems when traveling and sleeping at a motel.
S Is For Survey
First and foremost, you need to make sure that you survey the motel room when entering it. If you throw your belongings on the floor and ignore the risks, you’re likely going to run into serious problems. The room might be infested. Even if it is the cleanest
motel room you’ve seen, it could have
bedbugs. With that being said, you should survey the room for black stains, bloodstains, and bedbugs. You’ll also want to check for a sweet, musty odor.
Bedbugs create an odor that smells like soda syrup.
L Is For Lift & Look
Next, you need to start lifting and looking. You’ll find that this is vitally important because
bedbugs can hide in mattresses and box springs. In addition to this, they can hide in baseboards, bed frames, pictures, and sheets. As a result, you need to lift the items in the motel room to effectively search for
bedbugs. Lift the furniture to make sure
bedbugs aren’t living underneath.
E Is For Elevate
Once you’ve carefully checked the room, you need to take steps to protect your belongings. To be safe, make sure that your luggage is elevated from the ground. If the room has a luggage rack, you’ll want to use it. Place your belongings on the luggage rack, and make sure that the rack is away from the walls. Doing this will reduce the risk that bedbugs are going to climb the walls and enter your luggage.
E Is For Examine
When the vacation ends, make sure you don’t take bedbugs home with you. Once you’ve arrived homes, don’t unload your luggage immediately. Instead, you’ll want to take the bag to an outside room, such as a garage or utility room. Then, you’ll want to check through your luggage and clothes to see if you brought bedbugs home with you.
P Is For Place
Lastly, you’ll want to make sure that you eliminate any bedbugs that arrived with you. To achieve this goal, you should take advantage of your dryer. Throw your belongings in the dryer, and turn it on. Make sure that you’re using the hottest temperature. Leave your items in the dryer for 15 minutes or longer. Doing so will eliminate any bedbugs that traveled home with you.
There is always a risk that you’re going to experience a bedbug infestation. As a result, you need to be ready to work with a high-quality exterminator. When you find bedbugs in your apartment or home,
call our office. 