Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite: What to Look Out for While Traveling

Bed Bugs in Airbnb in Des Moines, IA

Welcome to Des Moines, Iowa! Whether you’re here for an event, visiting friends or family, or stopping for a rest on your way through, the last thing you want to take away with you is bed bugs. From an Airbnb to a hotel, no accommodation is too grand or humble for the presence of these nasty little pests. So let’s go over how to identify and protect yourself from these bloodsucking hitchhikers. 

How to Check for Bed Bugs at an Airbnb 

You’ve just checked into your Airbnb and are ready to settle in. If leaving luggage in the car or outside is not an option, immediately place your luggage in the bathroom. This is the least likely place for bed bugs to be hiding and you run the least risk of contamination while you inspect the place.  

  • Glove up if possible: Bed bugs have not been found to spread disease like other bloodsucking pests, but gloves will help prevent contamination.  
  • Inspect Mattresses and Bedding: Lift the sheets and check for small, reddish-brown bugs, tiny white eggs, or brownish-black fecal spots on the mattress, and box spring. Pay close attention to seams, folds, and crevices, especially near the head area. 
  • Examine Headboards and Furniture: Bed bugs can hide in upholstered headboards, chairs, and couches. Look for signs of infestation, such as tiny bugs, eggs, or dark stains along the seams of all upholstered surfaces. 
  • Use a Flashlight: Bed bugs are nocturnal, so turn the lights off and use a flashlight for better inspection conditions. 

If you run an Airbnb, don’t hesitate to contact professional exterminators. 

Signs of Bed Bugs at a Hotel 

Not much different from an Airbnb, the aforementioned procedure is applicable here as well. Some extra signs to be aware of are: 

  • Rust-colored spots: Bed Bugs feed exclusively on human blood and leave behind rust-colored stains in their wake.  
  • Bite Patterns: Their bite is painless but causes an itchy welt that some people have an allergic reaction to. If you notice multiple red bug bites in a row wherever skin was exposed during your sleep (like ankles and calves), it’s likely bed bugs. 

How to Prevent Home Invasion 

  • Use Luggage Racks: Hotels provide these for just this purpose: use racks instead of placing luggage on the bed or floor. If at an Airbnb, keep luggage on a hard surface to discourage these pests.  
  • Seal Your Luggage: When not in use, store your luggage in a large plastic bag to protect it from invasion. 
  • Go With Hard Cover: Bed bugs love to hide in fabric suitcases, so if possible opt for luggage with a hard surface material. This will provide fewer access points and reduce your risk of unwanted guests.  
  • Dry Then Wash: Put all fabrics in a dryer on high heat for 30 minutes, then wash in high heat to sanitize. Applying high heat is essential to ensuring the eradication of any possible hitchhikers. 

Pest Control You Can Count On 

For nearly 35 years, the highly trained experts at Springer Professional Home Services have been dedicated to exceeding our customers’ expectations. Leave the bed bugs to the experts, and rest easy knowing your home is in good hands. If you suspect you may have a bed bug infestation or are seeking preventative pest control, don’t hesitate to contact us today! 

Take These Steps if You Find Bed Bugs in Your Home

You’ve noticed an outbreak of tiny red bumps on your arms and legs. They aren’t painful at first, but then they begin itching, and more and more appear every night. Then it happens, you spot several tiny, flat, wingless, insects crawling around in your bed. The nightmare is real, but thankfully, so is the solution.

1. Identify

Bed bugs most commonly invade the home via used furniture, but they can enter through fabric of any kind, including suitcases or clothing. Begin your disinfestation process by identifying where the bed bugs are hiding. Signs of a bed bug infestation include

  • Blood stains: Bed bugs’ primary food source is blood, not dirt or dust. So, it is very likely that you’ll find small traces of blood in the area where the bed bugs are living.
  • Bed bug excrements: Bed bugs are, after all, living in your home, so it makes sense that you would find signs of their living, including fecal matter, egg shells, or shed skins.
  • Offensive smell: Bed bugs’ scent glands excrete a musty odor, which will be noticeable in the infested area.

If you suspect that you have an infested area, it is important to thoroughly examine the potential home of the bed bugs:

  • For beds: Remove bedding and check for the above-mentioned signs of infestation. Remove the dust cover of your box springs, and check for bugs in the wood framing and metal springs.
  • For couches: If possible, remove cushion covers and inspect the area. If possible, remove the bottom liner of the couch and inspect the structure for bed bugs.
  • For all areas: Check the surrounding areas for signs of bed bugs. This includes carpet, drapes, books, shelving, clothing, and even electrical outlets.

2. Contain

Once you have identified where the bed bugs are living, it is crucial to contain that area of your home. Do not move furniture to other rooms (unless you can take it outside), and do not begin sleeping in a different area of your home as the bed bugs may follow you. Use your vacuum with a removable bag or filter to thoroughly clean the affected room. In a bedroom, vacuum your mattress, floorboards, curtains, and carpet. After vacuuming, make sure to remove the bag or filter and dispose of the contents in an outdoor trash can. Wash your bedding on your washing machine’s hot cycle, and dry it on high to kill any living bed bugs. Depending on the level of infestation, you may need to consider disposing of some of the affected material.

3. Clean

While bed bugs do not feed on dirt or dust, extra clutter around your home is the perfect place for bed bugs to hide. Do a thorough walkthrough of your home and declutter any areas that are in need of attention. Schedule a weekly regimen to dust, sweep, and clean your home. Maintaining your home will not only make detection easier, but if you do have another outbreak, you’ll be able to contain and remove more efficiently.

4. Call

If you are concerned that the infestation may be more than you can handle, it’s best to call in a professional. Professional pest control agencies have the resources and knowledge to detect bed bug infestations—even those that are deeply hidden in your bedding or furniture. Pest control companies can use scent-trained dogs to identify infected areas and heat technology to eliminate any remaining bugs. In less than 12 hours, you’ll have your home thoroughly examined and the bugs exterminated.

5. Discard

It is unlikely that you will have to discard any furniture or bedding; however, sometimes, removing affected household items is the easiest way to eliminate the bed bug infestation. Make sure to consult a professional to see if this step is necessary.

If you are suffering from bed bugs in the Des Moines area, contact Springer for a professional inspection. Springer’s highly trained team, including three canine bed bug detectives, will be able to find and remove the unwanted pests in less than a day’s time.

Springer also offers a Bed Bug Preventive Warranty. For a fixed monthly rate, Springer’s trained professionals will inspect your home for bed bugs regularly, eliminating the need for future heat treatment and ensuring the problem is under control. Contact us anytime, and be sure to download our free ebook below so you know exactly what to look for when traveling.