With summer well underway, most of us are either about to set off or have just come back from our summer holidays. The trips we’ve been planning for, saving for and dreaming about all year long are finally upon us. And while you may have checked how much suncream you’ll need, or got enough euros out, there’s another, more ominous holiday anomaly you probably haven’t accounted for – bed bugs.
‘Bed bugs are among Britain’s most detested pests and they have a knack for travel,’ says Natalie Bungay, head of membership and technical at British Pest Control Association (BPCA). That’s right, these disgusting bugs have a direct connection to our summer holidays. ‘It’s not always obvious where they’ve come from, but some of the most common ways they can be introduced into your property is by hitching a lift on luggage, bags and clothes while on holiday,’ says Natalie.
According to ThermopPest, a bed bug treatment company in London, more than 60% of its customers had been away in the months leading up to an infestation. So while there are many other ways the critters can sneak into your home (second-hand furniture being another culprit), international travel is up there for increasing your chances. But no need to panic, I’ve been chatting to the experts to find out what it is they do before, during and after their holidays to ensure no big bad bed bugs follow them home. Here’s what they had to say.
What to do BEFORE your holiday
When I asked James Rhoades, director of ThermoPest Bed Bug Treatment London, why holidays increased the likelihood of a bed bug infestation, he said the issue was twofold. First, the constant turnover of guests means it’s statistically more likely for them to be brought into that same hotel room or villa you’re staying in. And second, their preferred mode of transport. ‘Bed bugs are expert hitchhikers,’ says James. ‘Unlike fleas, which live on people, bed bugs hide in cracks and crevices, which luggage has in spades. If you stay in an infested room, you’re likely to have a bed bug hitch a ride home in your things.’
So, as always when it comes to pests, the best offence is a good defence.
- Check the reviews: James suggests the first step for prevention comes before you even book your stay. ‘Check reviews for hotels; often people will say if they’ve had an issue with bed bugs.’
- Seal your clothes: ‘To reduce the risk, I would recommend using sealed packing blocks for clothes,’ says James. This may seem like overkill, as bed bugs aren’t always present, but it can give you great peace of mind – and helps make packing more organised as an added bonus.
- Avoid overpacking: Ricky Young, owner of Youngs Pest Control, suggests that the more organised and streamlined your packing is, the fewer places bugs will have to hide.
- Know what you’re looking for: ‘Familiarise yourself with what bed bugs and their signs actually look like before you travel,’ suggests James.
- Choose your luggage wisely: ‘Consider using a hard-shell suitcase, which has fewer hiding places than fabric luggage,’ says Ricky.
What to do DURING your holiday
Once you arrive at your destination, take a little time to assess the situation and make a few small adjustments, so you can get back to relaxing in peace. As Ricky says, ‘It only takes a few extra minutes but could save weeks of disruption if you accidentally introduce bed bugs into your home.’
- Do not put your suitcase on the bed: This is the golden rule when it comes to bed bugs, and the one each and every expert I spoke to drilled into me. ‘I would always recommend placing luggage on a luggage rack and/or positioned away from the bed and upholstered furniture,’ says James. ‘Avoid placing any luggage directly on the bed, sofas and upholstered chairs within the room.’
- Start with an inspection: ‘We always advise checking for signs of bed bugs when checking into holiday accommodation and immediately reporting any signs of activity if they occur,’ says Natalie. ‘Signs of possible bed bug activity include small reddish-brown clusters or dark faecal spots on the bed-frame, upholstery or bottom side of the mattress, and small blood smears on the bed linen or the headboard’. You can visit bpca.org.uk/bedbugs to see examples of bed bug activity and double-check any concerns you may find.
- Use the bathroom: Ricky begins his holidays in a slightly more unusual way (occupational hazard, I suppose!) – by putting his suitcases in the bath. ‘I recommend placing luggage in the bathroom while inspecting the room, as smooth tiled surfaces provide fewer places for bed bugs to hide.’
- Avoid unpacking where possible: ‘Unless you’re staying for an extended period, I recommend keeping clothing inside your suitcase, using packing cubes or sealed bags rather than unpacking everything into hotel drawers,’ suggests Ricky. ‘Every additional surface your belongings touch creates another opportunity for a bed bug to hitch a ride home.’
- Money doesn’t matter: The experts also urge readers to remember that bed bugs can occur anywhere. ‘Bed bugs feed solely on blood, not dirt, and they’re just as happy in a spotless five-star hotel as they are anywhere else,’ says Ricky. ‘In reality, bed bugs don’t care whether a room costs £50 or £500 a night.’
What to do AFTER your holiday
‘The biggest mistake travellers make is assuming that once they’ve checked out of the hotel, the risk is gone,’ says James. ‘In reality, bed bugs may already have made their way into luggage, clothing or personal belongings without being noticed.’ Which is why what you do on your return home makes all the difference. Whether you suspect some hitchhikers, or just want to be careful, here’s what to do when you get home.
- Unpack elsewhere: ‘If you suspect you stayed in a hotel with an active bed bug infestation, I recommend unpacking your suitcase outside or in a garage away from the home,’ says James. Rooms with hard flooring are a much safer bet than anywhere with carpet or upholstery.
- Vacuum the luggage: ‘Thoroughly inspect and vacuum the suitcase, paying particular attention to seams, zips and pockets before storing it away,’ suggests Ricky.
- Wash everything properly: The best point of action, and something we should all do when returning from a trip, is to wash all your clothes on a high heat. Natalie suggests: ‘Wash affected bedding and clothing on a hot wash (60°C)’ or as hot as the care label will allow. ‘Tumble-dry on a high heat where clothing allows, as heat is highly effective at killing all stages of the bed bug lifecycle,’ suggests Ricky.
- Freeze them out: If you think you’ve brought bed bugs home, another option could be freezing them out, suggests Natalie. ‘Put affected clothing and bedding in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer (-16C) for four days.’
