Summary: Bed bugs are on the rise as the busiest travel season begins. This blog explains the easiest ways to prevent bed bugs from ruining a trip and sneaking home with the homeowners. Pointe Pest Control solves bed bug issues with the utmost efficiency, and their solutions prevent bed bugs from returning after the service.
Summer is a big travel season, but it’s also a popular time for bed bug invasions. That’s not a coincidence. These bloodsuckers live in “revolving door” spaces, like hotel rooms and public transport, to have access to multiple hosts. They even hitchhike on bags and clothes to travel to new places.
This post is not meant to scare you out of traveling. On the contrary, we want you to enjoy your summer travels, not stress about bed bugs the whole time. By being aware of your surroundings and taking care of your belongings, you easily lower your risk of contracting bed bugs.
Let’s talk about the 12 best ways to prevent bed bugs from being your worst souvenirs ever!
Don’t Spray Pesticides
It’s tempting to douse your luggage in bug spray before leaving, but we strongly advise against this. Repellents and pesticides don’t do anything against bed bugs since they’re immune to most insecticides (yes, really). Plus, these pests are expert hiders due to their flat bodies.
Additionally, it wouldn’t be good for you or your family to inhale these chemicals during your travels. There are plenty of other ways to prevent bed bugs, rather than relying on ineffective sprays to keep bed bugs away from your bags.
Use Plastic Bags
If you want to be extra-cautious with your packed clothes — bed bugs often hitchhike on clothing and bags — store them in re-sealable plastic bags. Vacuum-sealed bags are also great for saving space and keeping bed bugs out. Fold or roll your clothing and store them in your bags of choice before stacking them in your luggage.
Inspect the Hotel Room
The first thing you should do in your hotel room (besides saying “Look at that view!”) is check it for bed bugs. They compress their bodies to fit in tight spots, so look in the crevices. Inspect the sheets, mattress, headboard, boxspring, curtains, and upholstered furniture. Use your phone’s flashlight to check in drawers and other dark corners.
This inspection process sounds like a lot, but it’s worth it to avoid getting bitten. Remember: bed bugs love darkness and compact spaces, so they probably aren’t just lounging on the bed. If they are, it’s no question that there’s an unsolved pest issue.
Speak with Hotel Management
This tip is for the chance that you discover bed bugs living in your hotel room. If you find any evidence of bed bugs, do not stay there. Instead, go to the front desk and speak with the hotel’s management about the issue. Request a new room on a different floor since bed bugs can travel through wall sockets and crevices.
There is no shame in bringing a pest issue to the management’s attention. They need to know about any bed bug activity so that they can contact pest control and get the problem solved ASAP. This process applies to any type of vacation rental, as these places all need to prevent bed bugs from staying there for free.
Keep Your Bags Elevated
Bed bugs can’t fly, so they crawl everywhere. An open suitcase left on the floor is a perfect habitat for these slow pests. That’s why we suggest keeping your luggage elevated throughout your trip. After checking the items for bed bugs, store the bags on luggage racks or tables. Move these away from the wall in case bed bugs are hiding within the wallpaper or outlets.
Don’t Fully Unpack
This may feel inconvenient, depending on the length of your vacation. But bed bugs can hide in drawers and furniture, especially if there’s dark crevices. An easy way to protect your packed clothes from these pests is to keep them in your suitcase until you wear them. The plastic bag tip from earlier will help you stay organized if you use this tip.
The bathroom is also a great place to keep your bags because the bright lighting and tiled floors are the exact opposite of what bed bugs like. If you really want to keep your bags in the main room, make sure they’re near a window or light source. These pests hate the light!
Look For the Signs
Even after your initial inspection, always keep an eye out for bed bugs. You don’t have to tear your room apart every day, but give your bed a quick glance before you get in it every night. These pests are very sneaky, so it’s all about the discreet evidence.
The most common signs of a bed bug infestation are:
- Tiny cream-colored eggs
- Small red or black spots (droppings)
- A sweet, musty odor
- Shed skins (exoskeletons)
- Any live or dead bed bugs
The last sign is the most conclusive. While it is possible to find a lone bed bug, they usually congregate near a food source. Where you find one bed bug, there’s probably more hidden nearby.
Don’t Let Clutter Build Up
There are a few benefits to organizing your growing pile of souvenirs and shopping bags throughout your trip. It’s less work to pack it all up later, it’s efficient for making sure you don’t leave anything behind, and it’s easier to prevent bed bugs.
Keep your purchased items off the floor and in their original bags. Once you’re home, check everything for hidden pests. If you want to go the extra mile, clean non-fabric items with an antibacterial wipe.
Store Your Dirty Laundry
If your trip involves a lot of physical activity, your dirty laundry collection grows pretty quickly. Unfortunately, bed bugs use dirty laundry as a way to find hosts! The sweat and body odor on our worn clothing are signals for these bloodsuckers. Keep your dirty clothes in plastic or reusable bags, and (big surprise!) don’t leave them on the floor.
Inspect Your Luggage Before Leaving
We’ve talked a lot about inspecting your items and the hotel room, and this doesn’t end when you’re checking out. Give everything a quick once-over as you pack. Check your luggage for any signs of bed bugs, and pay close attention to the crevices and pockets. These pests are smaller than a dime, so they don’t need much space!
Clean Your Bags
It’s tempting to leave your unpacked suitcase out for weeks after your trip, but in order to prevent bed bugs, we have to advise against this. Inspect your luggage before bringing it indoors, and wipe it down with a damp cloth or antibacterial wipe. For those of you who find joy in cleaning (we see you!), you can also vacuum or steam bags to completely sanitize them.
Wash & Dry Clothes on High Heat
When you’re home, keep your vacation laundry separate from your “regular” laundry. In the event that bed bugs or their eggs are in your dirty clothes, this keeps them away from the rest of your clothing. It’s also a good idea to wash everything as soon as you can for the same reason.
Check each clothing item for bugs as you throw it into the washer. Bed bugs can’t withstand high temperatures, so don’t be afraid to use the high heat setting on your washer and dryer! 15 to 30 minutes should do the trick, then you’re free to use your setting of choice.
Risky Little Bugs
Why go to all this trouble to prevent bed bugs? They’re not known to spread diseases or destroy houses, but these pests are still a formidable foe. Bed bugs are external parasites that need our blood in order to reproduce. Their red, itchy bites are even worse for people who have a sensitivity to their saliva.
Additionally, bed bugs don’t discriminate against certain settings. They could invade the cleanest house around or a cluttered office downtown. Either way, bed bugs only care about staying hidden near a reliable food source.
Since bed bugs are resistant to most standard pesticides, they can only be eliminated with treatments that are specifically made for them. Heat treatments are the most common because bed bugs can’t sustain temperatures above 118º Fahrenheit. Of course, these treatments are only administered by trained professionals — such as Pointe Pest Control.
Come Home to Pointe’s Customized Services
When you return from your travels, a pest-free home is a very welcome sight. Pointe Pest Control can help you achieve that! Our team of highly-trained technicians provide treatments and preventative measures that are tailored to fit your pest control needs. Whether you’re looking to prevent bed bugs or end an ant problem, we’ve got you.
We are committed to protecting your home from invasive pests in every season. Our general pest control plan covers the most common pests, including ants, spiders, rodents, roaches, crickets, and more. Contact us today for a free quote on the most reliable pest control services in the Pacific Northwest!
Citations
Cornelius, K. (2023, November 16). How to avoid bedbugs while traveling. AAA Via. Available at https://mwg.aaa.com/via/travel-tips/how-to-avoid-bed-bugs-while-traveling (Accessed on June 18, 2025).
Harney, C. (2024, May 30). How to avoid bed bugs on your vacations. Green Pest Services. Available at https://greenpestservices.net/how-to-avoid-bed-bugs-on-your-vacations/ (Accessed on June 18, 2025).
How to prevent bed bugs while traveling. (n.d.). Earthwise Pest Management. Retrieved June 18, 2025, from https://www.myearthwisepest.com/tips-to-prevent-bed-bugs-while-traveling/
Newkirk, C. (2013, March 14). Keep bed bugs from moving in after travel. Michigan State University. Available at https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/keep_bed_bugs_from_moving_in_after_travel (Accessed on June 18, 2025).
Ryu, J. (2024, July 18). I’m an entomologist. Here’s how I avoid bed bugs when I travel. Self. Available at https://www.self.com/story/how-to-prevent-bed-bugs-when-traveling (Accessed on June 18, 2025).
