Upon arriving at your hotel room after a tiring day of travel, the urge to drop your luggage and collapse onto the bed can be strong. However, experts warn that this is a common mistake made by travelers, potentially leading to an infestation that's hard to eradicate. Regardless of the hotel's standard, guests should refrain from settling onto the bed before conducting a brief inspection for bed bugs. This involves checking beneath the mattress and scanning the area for approximately thirty seconds.
These pests are drawn to warmth, blood, and carbon dioxide, as stated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), making human sleepers their preferred hosts. Although bed bug bites may cause itching, they typically don't pose significant health risks, according to the NHS.
Bed bugs can conceal themselves in various places, including bed frames, mattresses, clothing, furniture, behind pictures, and beneath loose wallpaper. Signs of their presence often include blood spots (commonly found on mattresses), small brown spots on bedding or furniture (bed bug excrement), and skin bites.
In a recent incident in Paris last October, an outbreak of bed bugs led to streets littered with abandoned mattresses, raising concerns about potential infestations spreading elsewhere, including the UK.
All travelers are advised to remain vigilant, as bed bugs are indiscriminate and can infest accommodations worldwide, regardless of quality.
Bologna emphasized the importance of thorough vigilance: "They favor upholstery—just inspect the sheets. Lift one corner of the bed, examine the mattress seams... just be thorough. Inspect any upholstered surfaces. Check the headboard. Check the chairs. If you don't detect anything, chances are you're safe."
For those who are especially cautious, such as Bologna's friends who have encountered bed bugs, placing luggage in the bathtub instead of on upholstered surfaces is recommended. Since most hotel rooms have carpeting, it's advised to avoid placing bags on carpeted floors.
Should you discover bed bugs during your stay, it's crucial to notify hotel management promptly to mitigate the risk of bringing the infestation home.
Bologna also advised travelers to maintain a suitable distance from the issue: "If you opt not to leave the hotel but wish to switch rooms, avoid moving to an adjacent room as it's likely to have the same problem," she cautioned.
According to the NHS, bed bug bites typically resolve within a week, but in the meantime, applying something cool like a clean, damp cloth can help alleviate itching and swelling. Additionally, keeping the affected area clean and refraining from scratching the bites is essential to prevent infection.
Source: cometodaddy.xyz
