Bed bugs are small pests that can multiply quickly and infect a wide variety of things. Travel is very commonly known as the primary cause of bed bug infestations because it allows these insects to spread quickly and easily from one area to another. Often, unbeknownst to the person, bed bugs will hitch ride on unsuspecting travelers, clothes, luggage, or any other personal items and be inadvertently transferred to other homes.
While on a trip, whether long or short, bed bugs can quickly spread throughout hotel rooms, motels, cabins, hotels, apartments, or any other structure used for lodging. As soon as you arrive at your destination, check all bedding thoroughly in all areas including cracks, seams, and corners. Check all pillows, mattresses, furniture, and other bed furniture and see if you find any reddish-brown fecal spots on any pieces. If you do find spots, these should be immediately cleaned in hot water. You should also vacuum all areas of your luggage and mattresses, even thoroughly clean them in hot water before returning them to your home. If you feel that your luggage contains bed bugs, you should immediately return it to the airline or retailer from which you purchased it.
In your travels, you should not assume that a bed bug bite will not result in an infection. These parasites will penetrate into the host’s skin and feed on their blood for up to two weeks before they are visible. It is possible that an individual may not exhibit obvious signs of an infestation until several weeks after an initial bite, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
If you think you have Bed Bugs in Phoenix after recent travels contact us for a Bed Bug Inspection