“No one is safe.” Despite that dire warning from the deputy mayor about the bedbug infestation in Paris, experts say there are things you can do to help protect yourself and your property from these pesky bloodsuckers.
USA Today spoke to an entomologist who said there is no need to be overly concerned. Apparently, bedbugs have been prevalent throughout Europe and across the United States for the past 20 years. Basically, we are always at risk.
That being said, here’s what you should do if you are traveling these days:
Check your accommodation – Whether you are staying at a five-star resort or a roadside motel, you are equally at risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says cleanliness does not determine whether an infestation can occur. The first thing you should do when you get to your room is look for any signs of bedbugs. Experts recommend you “pull the sheets off the bed and lift the mattress if you can, looking out for any tiny black spots, which are bedbug feces or their exoskeletons.” Be sure to inspect the seams of sofas and mattresses and in the crevices of bed frames, headboards and dressers, which are all places where bedbugs like to hide. If you see evidence of bedbugs, let the front desk know and ask to be assigned a different room.
Don’t bring bedbugs home – The reason we get bedbug infestations is because they like to travel, often hitching rides in travelers’ suitcases. Experts suggest that you leave your luggage outside. Take all of your clothing – even items you didn’t wear – and put them in the dryer with high heat for at least 30 minutes to kill any bedbugs and their eggs. Then you can wash as usual. It’s also important to disinfect your luggage. You can use a garment steamer to kill any stowaway bedbugs.
Have you ever encountered bedbugs when traveling? Message The Seniors Trust on Facebook or Twitter and tell us what you do to protect yourself from bedbugs – or any other pests or germs – when traveling.
