When traveling sleep is likely one of the last things you want to think about. Sure, you’ll likely wear yourself out at times, but with so much to see and so little time to see it, one wants to make sure they can take advantage of everything their schedule permits. Well, when sleep is mentioned here, it doesn’t necessarily apply to rest. That’s right, it can be used as a helpful acronym that could help with avoiding bed bugs while traveling. And, if you are familiar with travel these days, you know that bed bugs are a huge problem in the hospitality industry these days. The acronym sleep could help with that.
SURVEY
The first letter and no doubt one of the most important steps of the entire process means to survey. Make sure that you survey your sleeping or temporary living quarters with a fine-toothed comb. Most people assume that bed bugs are only associated with cheap, dirty, or lower-class hotels. This is no longer the case at all. Bed bugs have been found in some of the nicest, cleanest, and most expensive hotels in the world. Regardless of where you are staying, make sure you take the time to survey the land for a potential infestation. Whether it be a five-star rated hotel or a one-star rated hotel you are staying in, you could potentially leave with bed bugs.
During your survey, one thing to keep in mind is the scent. When dealing with larger infestations, you’ll likely notice musty smells. Something somewhat sweet and similar to that of soda pop syrup. In addition to this, you’ll want to keep your eye peeled, as bed bugs leave behind brown or red spots on sheets. This should be pretty easy to spot with lighter-colored linens.
LIFT AND LOOK
If bed bugs are known for anything it is their innate ability to hide. They can squeeze their bodies into some of the most awkward spots. Some can get into holes the size of finishing nails, making them harder than imaginable to spot. In addition to this, they like to nestle in box springs, trim moldings, and other highly undetectable spots. This is why you’ll want to apply the lift and look rule. Make sure you aren’t just doing a quick visual peek of the hotel room or living quarters. Ensure that you are taking the time to lift mattresses, check under sheets, raise box springs, and get right down in there in all the nooks and crannies. Lift and look around all the possible hiding spots for bed bugs in the temporary living quarters.
ELEVATE
Speaking of lifting, this is where the elevate rule comes into play. Only thing is, this rule pertains differently than most would think. It means to elevate your luggage and other belongings. Use the hotel’s chairs, tables, luggage racks, and closets to make sure that you keep your belongings off the ground. Bed bugs are fairly effective travelers and hitchhikers, but they like to take the road of less resistance. Simply put, the harder you make it for them to access your things, the harder you make it for them to travel home with you when all said and done. Applying this simple rule will greatly reduce the likelihood of bringing home a bed bug infestation with you.
EXAMINE
Sleep contains two E’s and the second is as equally as important as the first. The only difference is, this one means to examine. When repacking your things and before heading out make sure you give yourself enough time to give your belongings one final scan. As was already mentioned, bed bugs are effective hitchhikers. They’ll wiggle their way right into your luggage, clothing, or anything they can to hitch a ride home with you and make your life a living nightmare. This is something you do not want.
PLACE
It might be the last letter of the acronym and the final step, but it is no doubt one of the most important. This one pertains to placing all your items in the dryer before reintroducing them back into your home. It is a well-known scientific fact that heat kills bed bugs. This is why there are such things as heat treatments. The trick is, raising the temperature to the right degrees, which is something that a dryer can do. Drying all your traveling clothes on the highest heat setting possible will likely eliminate all bed bugs and their larvae.
Conclusion
All this being said and while it is possible to avoid bed bugs while traveling, you do have to remember that bed bugs are hard to eliminate. This is why it is best to try and avoid the situation in the first place. While this isn’t always possible, it is most of the time. If you do end up infected, you’ll likely need the assistance of a Columbus, Ohio licensed pest control specialist with previous experience in treating these pests.