You’re not the only one going on vacation this summer. Bed bugs can turn up anywhere, including the nicest looking hotels and vacation rentals.
These tiny nocturnal bloodsuckers hide in cracks and crevices during the day and emerge at night to feed on their host — you — while you sleep. Infestations can occur in homes and hotels where they are often spread through luggage, clothing and furniture.
Bed bug bites can cause relentless itching, and their symptoms may not show up for several days.
Here’s how to inspect your hotel room or Airbnb for bedbugs and what to do if you find them.
What do bed bugs look like?
Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects, typically oval-shaped and flat, with a size ranging from 1 to 7 millimeters, depending on their life stage and whether they have recently fed, according to the Arizona Department of Agriculture.
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Unfed bed bugs appear flattened and elongated. After feeding, they become rounded and engorged. Bed bugs have six legs and antennae and are wingless, which distinguishes them from similar-looking insects like carpet beetles. They are nocturnal and often hide in cracks and crevices during the day.
What bug can be mistaken for a bed bug?
Several insects can be mistaken for bed bugs. Some of the most common, according to Orkin, include:
- Carpet beetles: These small oval beetles often appear brownish or black. They can sometimes be mistaken for bed bugs due to their size and shape, but unlike bed bugs, carpet beetles have wings and can fly.
- Ticks: Ticks, which come in various colors but mostly brown, share some physical similarities with bed bugs. Before feeding, ticks appear flat and have a round body shape akin to bed bugs. However, ticks can be distinguished by their eight leg, whereas bed bugs have six legs.
- Swallow bugs: Similar in appearance to bed bugs, swallow bugs are associated with birds, particularly swallows. They can be found in bird nests.
- Cockroach nymphs: Immature cockroaches, especially those of German cockroaches, can resemble bed bugs due to their similar size and coloration. However, cockroach nymphs have a different body shape and distinct antennae, which can help differentiate them from bed bugs.
What brings bed bugs in?
Bed bugs usually hitchhike on belongings, clothing, luggage or used furniture. Here are common ways bedbugs get in, according to the Arizona Department of Agriculture:
- Used furniture: Secondhand furniture, especially mattresses, bed frames and couches, can harbor bedbugs. Inspect such items carefully.
- Travel: Travelers can inadvertently pick up bedbugs from infested rooms and carry them back home in luggage or clothing.
- Shared spaces: Bedbugs can also spread via public transportation, workplaces, schools and communal living areas. They can easily move from person to person or item to item in these environments.
- Visitors: Guests who unknowingly have bedbugs in their belongings can introduce them into a home.
- Neighboring infestations: Bedbugs can spread between adjoining units in apartment buildings, condominiums or townhouses.
What kills bed bugs permanently?
Here are some of the most effective ways to kill bed bugs, from the Arizona Department of Agriculture:
- Pesticides: Insecticides formulated for bed bug control come in the form of sprays or aerosols.
- Heat treatment: Bed bugs are sensitive to high temperatures, so exposing infested items or areas to heat can kill them. Heat treatment involves using steamers, hot water or specialized heating equipment to raise the temperature above the bed bugs’ survival threshold for a sustained period.
- Cold treatment: Bed bugs also can be killed by exposing them to extreme cold. Items infested with bedbugs can be placed in a freezer for several days. But a home freezer might not be cold enough, according to Terminix. You have to freeze the item at 0 degrees for at least four days.
- Hire a professional: In severe infestations or cases where DIY methods are ineffective, hiring a professional pest control company may be necessary.
Thorough cleaning and decluttering can help reduce hiding places for bedbugs and make treatment more effective.
How to find where bed bugs are hiding?
Finding where bed bugs are hiding requires a systematic and thorough inspection.
Begin by focusing on the primary areas where bedbugs tend to congregate, such as the bed. Inspect the mattress, box spring and bed frame meticulously, paying close attention to seams, folds and tufts where bedbugs often hide, according to the Arizona Department of Agriculture.
Telltale signs of bedbug activity include reddish-brown stains, tiny translucent eggs, shed exoskeletons or the insects themselves.
Thoroughly examine other furniture and upholstered items, such as couches, chairs and nightstands. Remove cushions and inspect seams, cracks and crevices. Be diligent, as bedbugs can hide in the most inconspicuous of places.
Don’t overlook cluttered areas. Check piles of clothing, stacks of books or papers and any clutter around the bed or furniture. Bedbugs may also hide in personal items such as luggage, bags and backpacks, especially if you’ve recently traveled or brought used items into your home.
What do bed bug bites look like to the human eye?
Bed bug bites are typically small, red, raised bumps on the skin. The bumps often occur in clusters or lines due to the feeding behavior of bedbugs, which usually bite multiple times in a row, according to Orkin.
Bedbugs feed by piercing the skin with their mouthparts and injecting saliva, which contains anticoagulants to prevent blood clotting. As they move along the skin, they may leave behind rows of bites or clusters of bites closely grouped.
Bed bug bites can sometimes result in a delayed reaction, with symptoms taking several days to appear fully.
What do you do if a bed bug bites you?
If a bed bug bites you, here’s what Mountain View Pediatrics in Flagstaff recommends:
- Wash the area: Clean the affected area with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection. Avoid scratching the bite, as this can lead to irritation and potential infection.
- Apply calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream: Over-the-counter anti-itch creams or lotions containing ingredients calamine or hydrocortisone can help reduce itching and inflammation.
- Take oral antihistamines: Benadryl and other oral antihistamines can help alleviate itching and reduce allergic reactions.
- Apply cold compresses: Applying a cold compress or ice pack to the bitten area can help reduce swelling and itching. Wrap the ice pack in a cloth to prevent direct contact with the skin and apply it for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- Avoid scratching: Although it can be tempting, scratching bed bug bites can lead to further inflammation and potential infection. Cover them with bandages or dressings to prevent scratching during sleep.
- Monitor for signs of infection: Keep an eye on the bitten area for increased redness, warmth, swelling or pus. If you notice any signs of infection or if the symptoms worsen or persist, seek medical attention promptly.
Can you get sick from bed bug bites?
Bed bug bites typically do not transmit diseases to humans. Unlike blood-feeding insects such as mosquitoes and ticks, bed bugs are not known to carry pathogens that can cause illness in humans.
What happens if bed bug bites go untreated?
Untreated bed bug bites can cause persistent itching, redness, swelling and irritation. Scratching the bites can lead to infections, as bacteria can enter through broken skin. Scratching also can cause scarring and permanent skin damage. See a doctor if you experience an allergic reaction, according to the Mayo Clinic.
How to heal bed bug bites fast?
Besides using antihistamines and creams, you can take an oatmeal bath to soothe your skin or apply pure aloe vera gel to reduce inflammation and aid healing, according to GoodRx Health. Keep the skin moisturized with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer suitable for sensitive skin.
What are the early signs of bed bugs?
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, these are signs of a bedbug infestation:
- Unexplained bites on the skin, often appearing in a linear or clustered pattern.
- Small reddish-brown stains on bedding or mattresses from crushed bedbugs or their fecal matter.
- Bedbugs may be spotted crawling on bedding, furniture or walls, particularly at night.
- Bedbug shells (translucent casings left behind as they molt) may be found in cracks, crevices and other hiding spots.
- A musty odor may permeate rooms with a bed bug presence.
What should I do if I find bed bugs in my hotel room?
If you discover bed bugs in your hotel room, notify hotel staff immediately so they can take address the issue and prevent the spread of bed bugs to other rooms.
Next, protect yourself and your belongings from further exposure to bed bugs. Avoid placing luggage, clothing or personal items on or near the bed or furniture where bed bugs were found.
Be calm but firm. Ask to be moved to a different room, or request a refund and assistance booking a room elsewhere.
If you find bed bugs in your luggage or clothing while at the hotel, request assistance with inspecting and treating your belongings. Staff may offer to launder or heat treat your clothing and luggage.
What to do if I find bed bugs in Airbnb?
Airbnb’s guidance for hosts says “A Host’s property must be free of known health hazards (ex: mold, pests, vermin), meet a high standard of cleanliness, and be cleaned between stays.”
If you find bed bugs in an Airbnb, contact the host immediately. Provide detailed information about the infestation, including photos or video. This documentation is valuable for lodging a complaint and seeking compensation if necessary. Request assistance from the Airbnb host for inspecting and treating your belongings if needed.
Consider reporting the incident to Airbnb and leaving an honest review to inform potential guests.
How did I get bed bugs when I haven’t been anywhere?
Even if you haven’t traveled recently, it’s possible to find bed bugs in your living space.
Bed bugs can hitchhike on the clothing, bags or other belongings of guests who have unwittingly come into contact with them.
Secondhand furniture or clothing purchases can pose a risk, as bed bugs may be present in used items. Carefully inspect secondhand items before bringing them home.
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