When you’re traveling for Thanksgiving, the last thing on your mind is bed bugs. Unfortunately, these pests are a real threat to people during their travels. Whether they’re hiding under mattresses or along the baseboards, it’s important to keep an eye out for these bugs. If you don’t, you could face an unwanted infestation when you get home. At McCall Service, we’ve seen our fair share of bed bugs and have some important tips for you.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
These pests measure about 1/4 inch in length as adults; the immature bed bugs are smaller and almost transparent. The adults are reddish-brown in color and have flat, oval-shaped bodies. Their size and shape make it easy to get into cracks and crevices where they hide out of sight.
3 Tips to Avoid Bed Bugs
If you’re traveling, check the registry.
The Bed Bug Registry is a useful resource for travelers. You can use it to investigate reports of bed bugs at various hotels and other locations across the map. Check the registry before booking your next stay at a hotel or a visit to any venue.
Inspect for bed bug eggs and feces.
If you look closely, you can spot bed bug eggs and feces in the creases of mattresses. You should also check the sheets for reddish-brown spots. These spots appear after the bed bugs have been crushed during the night. If you see small, translucent eggs, red spots or pepper-like feces, contact an exterminator right away.
Keep your luggage and clothes outside.
When you return home, it’s best to keep your luggage outside until you can inspect it for bed bugs. Once you take the clothing out of the luggage, place it directly in the washing machine. Wash all of your clothes on the hot cycle to kill the bugs. Afterward, dry them on high heat as an added precaution.
Bed Bug Bites? Call the Professionals
Have you spotted bed bugs or been dealing with bed bug bites? Contact McCall Service to learn more about bed bugs and to schedule an inspection with our pest control professionals. What do bed bugs look like? If you’re still unsure, we can help. We’ll inspect your home for bed bugs, eliminate the infestation, and create a program to keep them from invading your living spaces.
