Revealing The Hidden Horror: Bedbugs In Accommodation

I remember an experience my friend Mimi shared with me some years back. She’s an agricultural consultant who travels a lot. On this particular day, she had travelled out of the country and was supposed to lodge in a hotel. After a long, exhausting day, she looked forward to returning to her room, showering, eating and drifting off into a restful sleep. Unfortunately, she began to feel itchy in the middle of the night. Lo and behold, the sight was horrific when she pulled the sheets. 

Guess what it was? Bedbugs hidden along the seams of the mattress. 

Are you surprised bedbugs can be found in hotels too? But what attracts them? How can you identify them? And most importantly, how can you prevent or deal with them? These are all I will be discussing with you in this blog.

Bedbugs: The Unwanted Roommates

Bedbugs are unwanted roommates that thrive through their hosts, humans. These tiny pests are majorly active at night when you’re fast asleep. That’s because they are nocturnal animals. They feed on human blood. Usually, they tend to hide during the day because their flattened bodies allow them to squeeze into wooden cracks, headboards, or mattresses until the evening when they come out to feast. 

But do they bite? No, Similar to mosquitoes, they have long, straw-like mouthparts called a proboscis, which can pierce the skin. According to the Hong Kong Biodiversity Museum, they can obtain a full meal of blood in 15 – 20 minutes, 

Another shocking thing is that these creatures can survive for long without eating. This is why they can be found in places like hotel rooms, which people don’t regularly occupy.

Knowing If Bedbugs are Present in a Room

I’m sure you’re curious about how to know if they are in a room? Look out for blood stains or brown and black spots on the mattress. Check mattress seams and headboards. Also, use your flashlight to check dark corners; they might be there. 

If you have done all of these and you spot any of these signs, relax. I’ll share what you’ll do soonest.

Do you know the air you breathe while travelling might be toxic? Read this.

What You Should Do in your Hotel Room and at Home

If you’re staying in a hotel, you might not have access to all the tools you would use at home, but you can still take some simple steps. I’ll also walk you through what to do if you unknowingly carry bed bugs home from an infested hotel room.

• Escalate the issue immediately to the hotel staff.
• Request a room change.
• Get a bedbug spray at every corner to kill any bedbug before you settle in fully.
• Inspect all bedding and soft furniture thoroughly for signs I shared previously.
• Keep your luggage first on hard surfaces like a table or bathtub while you inspect the room.
• Keep your clothes in zippered bags to prevent them from attaching to your clothes.

The image below shows zippered bags for storing clothes to prevent bedbugs from clinging to them.

Image Source: Pinterest: Etsy

If you notice bites or other signs of bed bugs after your hotel stay, take these precautions immediately when you get home.

• Wash your clothes in hot water and dry them at high temperatures. Bedbugs detest heat so much.
• Vacuum your suitcase thoroughly, especially if it’s not a hard case. 
• Place your mattress under direct sunlight for several hours.

Is Bedbug Infestation Caused by Uncleanliness?

No! Bedbugs are not caused by uncleanliness. Although, they would undoubtedly stay longer if you choose not to clean up or get rid of them after an infestation, but uncleanliness isn’t the primary cause. 

Bedbugs are usually drawn after warmth and blood. Even the most elegant Airbnb and hotel can unknowingly harbour them, and once they are in, they are challenging to control. The best thing is to tackle them immediately after you notice them before they take over.

I’ll also recommend that hotel owners and accommodation providers regularly fumigate their rooms and their items. You have a responsibility to keep your guests safe and comfortable.

Final Thoughts 

Bed Bugs are one of the things that I dread the most when I have to sleep on a bed that’s not mine. This is because of the uncertainty of the bed’s condition. They are the last souvenirs anyone wants to take home from a fantastic adventure. Always be cautious of your environment!

Did you find this piece helpful? Have you ever had an encounter with bedbug infestation during your travels? I would love to hear your experience in the comments.

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