Spring Break Travel Tips: Keeping Bed Bugs at Bay

Minnetonka schools are on spring break next week. That means many locals will be hitting the road  for a springtime family getaway. But since last summer’s nationwide bed bug invasion at hotels across the country, many locals are worried about bringing these unwelcome critters back home. So Minnetonka Patch headed to the experts at Minnetonka’s for some advice. Here are their top tips to keeping bed bugs at bay on your next vacation.

1. When entering a hotel room, inspect the tub for bed bugs. Once clear, set your luggage in the tub. Bed bugs do not like smooth surfaces, so they more than likely will not be there. Remember—bed bugs tend to stay within eight feet of where people rest or sleep.
2. In a hotel room thoroughly inspect the mattress, box spring, behind the headboard, night stands, chairs, couches and electronics. Look specifically for a reddish brown insect the size of an apple seed. They are visible to the naked eye! The bugs might also appear as black spots on the mattress. If you see any signs of the bugs leave the room immediately and inform the front desk.
3. To minimize the amount of stuff you will have to bug check once you get home, keep your clothes in a sealed container while you are vacationing. For example, an extra-large Ziplock storage bag can hold your suitcase. We also recommend that you completely inspect your luggage before bringing it into your home. You may even want to thoroughly vacuum the luggage. If you do this, be sure to use a vacuum that has a bag and throw the bag away immediately after you finish vacuuming.
4. If you travel a lot—beyond more than this spring break excursion—wrap your box spring and mattress with a bed bug proof encasement that zips shuts completely. A product called "ClimbUp" is also a wise purchase. This device will keep bed bugs from getting onto your bed if you accidentally bring them home after a trip. If using ClimbUp, wrap your bed frame with felt to prevent the box spring encasement from tearing on the sharp corners. Also, turn your bed into an island by pulling it away from the wall and by not allowing your bedding or skirting to touch the floor.
5. If you do discover that you accidentally brought the dreaded bed bugs home, make sure to hire a professional company that is committed to using a variety of methods to solve the problem, including heat remediation, vacuuming, steam, and chemicals applied to the wall voids and other potential areas that the heat cannot penetrate. The heat must reach 122 degrees to the core of every material in the home to kill all the stages of a bed bug’s life cycle. Using just one of these methods will more than likely result in a failed treatment. You should also schedule at least two follow up inspections approximately 30 days and 60 days after the initial treatment.