How to Prevent Bed Bugs During Holiday Travels

Traveling home for the holidays? While we’re all hoping to spread holiday cheer, all this inadvertent contact can spread something far less welcome: bed bugs. With Thanksgiving kicking off one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, bed bug infestations become increasingly common across Illinois. 

These unwanted pests are often traced back to hotels and spread when they hitch a ride on suitcases, which is why many travelers bring them home without even realizing it. 

Why Winter Travel Increases Bed Bug Risks

With Christmas and New Year’s around the corner, December marks peak travel season in Illinois. This is especially true through Chicago O’Hare International Airport, one of the nation’s busiest hubs. Air travel brings people into contact with countless strangers at airports and hotels throughout the country. 

These pests are the last thing you want to discover in your Illinois home this holiday season. That’s why Anderson Pest Solutions is sharing essential bed bug prevention tips to keep you and your family comfortable all winter long.

Do Bed Bugs Die in Illinois Winters?

Unfortunately, bed bugs are well-adapted to surviving year-round. Many Illinois residents mistakenly believe they’re at lower risk for pest infestations during our cold winters. 

However, in extreme temperatures, they can enter a state called diapause, allowing them to survive for months without feeding. Inside heated Illinois homes, however, bed bugs remain perfectly active throughout even the harshest winter months.

Tips for a Bed Bug-Free Holiday Season

Before you cancel your travel plans, here’s some reassurance: Bed bugs prefer hiding in dark, quiet cracks and crevices and generally dislike disturbance or movement. If you’ve ever been on a packed flight out of O’Hare during the holidays, you know that doesn’t exactly describe air travel.

However, if you do encounter bed bugs while traveling, prevention and preparation are your best defenses. Follow these precautions to minimize your risk:

Before You Book

• Research your hotel thoroughly. Check online reviews for any mentions of bed bug problems before making your reservation.

At the Hotel

• Inspect the room immediately. Pull back the bed sheets and examine the area between the mattress and box spring for signs of bed bugs, eggs, or dark fecal spots.
• Look for blood spots. Tiny specks of blood on the mattress may indicate past bed bug activity.
• Store luggage safely. Place your suitcase on luggage racks—never on the bed or floor. The bathtub is another safe spot, as bed bugs struggle to climb smooth surfaces.

Packing Smart

• Use hard-shell luggage. Bed bugs have fewer places to hide on smooth, rigid surfaces.
• Protect clothing in sealed plastic bags. This creates an extra barrier between your belongings and any potential pests.
• Consider wrapping luggage in plastic. Yes, you might get a few curious looks at the airport, but sealing your suitcase in plastic wrap or a large trash bag keeps bed bugs out of your belongings—whether stored overhead or under your seat.

On the Plane

• Cover exposed skin. Dress in layers with long sleeves and pants. Bed bugs can’t bite through most clothing thicker than pantyhose.
• Bring your own seat cover. Disposable cloth seat covers fit over most airline seats and create a barrier between you and any potential pests.
• Pack your own blanket and pillow. Airline-provided items could potentially harbor bed bugs, so bringing your own offers extra peace of mind.

What If I Find Bed Bugs in My Luggage?

If you spot a bed bug, try to capture it in a small plastic bag and place it in the freezer to preserve it. A pest control professional can then confirm whether it’s actually a bed bug or a lookalike pest. For infested items:

• Seal clothing in plastic trash bags and launder immediately in hot water.
• Items that can’t be washed can be placed in a dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes.
• For suitcases that can’t be washed, seal them in a plastic bag and leave them for several weeks. Bed bugs will eventually die from lack of oxygen.

How to Keep Bed Bugs Out of Your Illinois Home

Whether you’re traveling to visit family in Springfield, returning home to the Chicago suburbs, or hosting relatives from out of state, the last thing you want is to bring bed bugs into your home. These pests particularly love hiding in luggage because of all the wrinkles, folds, and pockets where they can conceal themselves.

Even if you stayed in a five-star hotel and didn’t notice a single bug during your trip, it’s still wise to inspect your luggage before bringing it inside. Follow this post-travel inspection process:

1. Open your luggage outside or in the garage, not inside your home.
2. Place all items into a plastic trash bag.
3. Check each item carefully for bed bugs or their droppings.
4. Use a flashlight to examine deep folds in clothing and bag pockets.
5. Remember: Bed bugs are small and flat, roughly the size of an apple seed.

Looking for Holiday Bed Bug Removal?

Bed bugs are resilient pests that can be difficult to prevent, even when you take every precaution. 

If you find yourself dealing with an infestation this holiday season, don’t wait. Reach out to the bed bug exterminators at Anderson Pest Solutions right away. Our professional bed bug removal team effectively eliminates current infestations and helps prevent future problems.

Let us give you the gift of peace of mind this holiday season. Contact us today for a free bed bug inspection at your Illinois home.