American Pest Management

🧳 Bed Bug Awareness Week: Day 4 – Travel & Prevention ✈️
It’s peak travel season, which means it’s also peak "hitchhiker" season! Bed bugs are world-class travelers. They don’t fly or jump, but they are experts at crawling into suitcases, backpacks, and clothing to hitch a ride straight into your home.
Don't bring home an unwanted souvenir! Follow our ultimate vacation checklist to stay protected:
🧼 1. Practice the "Bathroom Rule"
When you first walk into a hotel or vacation rental, immediately place your luggage in the bathroom or on a tiled floor. Bed bugs hate tile and have a hard time hiding there. Keep your bags there until you've inspected the room! (but away from cloth shower curtains!!)
🔍 2. The 4-Step Room Check
Before you unpack, check these four areas:
The Mattress: (Check out our Day 2 video for exactly what to look for!)
The Headboard: Pull it slightly away from the wall if possible and look behind it.
The Sofa/Chairs: Check the seams of any upholstered furniture.
The Luggage Rack: Inspect the webbing and wooden/metal joints.
🧺 3. Coming Home Checklist
When you return from a trip, unpack your clothes directly into the washing machine. Wash and dry everything on high heat (at least 30 minutes in the dryer), even the clothes you didn’t wear. Heat is a bed bug's worst enemy!
Safe travels start with smart prevention. Save this post for your next getaway! 🚘✈️