07/09/2025
Bed bugs are a common problem in hotels and can be easily brought back home through personal belongings, such as backpacks, purses, or luggage. Although bed bugs don't typically travel on people, they can still be a nuisance. They can go unnoticed for a while, so you may transport them home without ever knowing!
See below on helpful practices you can follow to minimize the risk:
- The very first thing you should do to reduce your odds of bringing bed bugs home is to inspect the bed. Some of the common signs of bed bug activity in beds include clusters of bed bugs in the seams of mattresses and box springs
- Keep luggage elevated
- If you’re wary of bed bugs, you might consider keeping your belongings in plastic bags with in your suitcase. This will create a seal that will help lessen the chance that a bed bug will find its way onto your stuff.
- Be diligent when you return home
If possible, keep your luggage separated from other areas where bed bugs might want to make themselves at home. To be on the safe side, you might want to consider throwing your clothes directly into the dryer if garment instructions permit drying on high heat. Generally, it’s a good idea to inspect your luggage after you return home from a trip. If you’re able, empty your suitcase on a non-carpeted surface so any bed bugs that may have hitched a ride cannot immediately hide.
