Major bedbug infestation found on a matress http://www.flickr.com/photos/cuttlefish/3333707314/
Bedbugs are a growing and persistent problem in the United States and as summer vacations mean increased travel, these pests have even more opportunity to spread and infest your home. Not only does an encounter with bedbugs spoil a vacation, it can also make coming home a nightmare, if you bring these biting critters home as an unwanted souvenir. Here are a few tips on how to protect you and your family from bedbugs this season.
- Pack smart: Though it seems impractical, packing as many items as possible in Ziploc bags will help keep bugs out. A hard suitcase is also a safer option than a cloth, duffel bag. If you are going to be doing extensive travel and staying in several different hotels, it’s a good idea to just live out of your suitcases (and plastic bags) so you don’t give the bugs a chance to get inside your belongings.
- Look up the hotel first: Before you book a hotel, visit The Bedbug Registry to see hotels in the area you will be traveling that have had reports of bedbugs. You may also find similar reports on reviews of hotels. Continue reading