[March 06, 2013]

Fun, Sun and Bed Bugs?

Every year, millions of Americans look forward to escaping to popular destinations during their Spring Break vacation. But whether it's fun in the sun with college friends or a relaxing family getaway, travelers may find themselves with a biting problem - bed bugs. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) encourages those traveling this spring to brush up on bed bug prevention tips.

"From hostels to five-star hotels, bed bug encounters have become much more common in all types of lodging facilities," said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the NPMA. "Fortunately, there are a few things Spring Break travelers can do before, during and after their vacation to avoid fiding bed bugs in hotels and bringing them home in suitcases."

To enjoy a bed bug-free Spring Break, NPMA experts offer the following tips:

• At hotels, thoroughly inspect the entire room before unpacking, including behind the headboard and in furniture. Pull back the bed sheets and check the mattress seams for pepper-like stains that may be evidence of bed bug activity.
• Set your luggage away from walls and never place it on the bed. Use a large plastic trash bag or a protective cover to store your suitcases during your hotel stay.
• If you see anything suspicious, notify management and change rooms immediately. Be sure your new room is not adjacent to the possibly infested room.
• After your trip, inspect and vacuum your suitcases thoroughly before bringing them into the house. Consider using a garment hand steamer to steam your luggage, which will kill any bed bugs.
• Wash all of your clothes - even those that have not been worn - in hot water.

"Many people might look at bed bug prevention as an additional task to add to the vacation checklist, but it could mean the difference between enjoying a great trip and having it turn into a dreaded bed bug nightmare," added Henriksen.

For more information on bed bugs, please visit www.pestworld.org.

The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 7,000 members, was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry's commitment to the protection of public health, food and property.

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