Bed Bugs at Hotels – What to Do Before Checking into a Hotel

Bed bugs were frequently spotted during World War II when soldiers reported many skin infections. Yet, the use of pest-control sprays by farmers on large scale, helped to kill these bugs, too. The revival of bed bugs can be associated with tourists and immigrants, who have inadvertently brought these to the U.S. in their luggage and clothes. Even if a single female bug manages to reach a hotel, a whole colony of bed bugs can be produced within months.

Another explanation for their return is the pesticides reforms made after the 1950’s. At that time, DDT was banned due to its toxic nature. Pesticides were then prepared for specific insects. But the modified pest killers were not effective for bed bugs.

Many big hotels have received legal actions from guests, who suffered bed bug bites. Bed bugs are flat, reddish brown, tiny insects that reside in warm places. Being nocturnal, they only show up during night and hide in cracks, mattresses and other dark places during the day. They are attracted to warm blooded animals, birds and humans. It’s nearly impossible to get rid of them without professional help, because they can hide for nearly a whole year without food.

A bed bug can quietly suck blood out of your body. First, it injects a anesthetic so you don’t feel any pain from the sting. And then, the bed bug sucks blood from the body causing a swollen mark with severe itching afterwards.

Bed bugs have really put the credibility of various hotels at stake. Many customers have sued hotels for risking the health of their guests and not notifying them of the infestation problem. Irrational behavior of hotel management has blemished their image more. Instead of addressing this problem directly, they try to suppress it by ignoring such incidents even took place, because of the fear of bad publicity.

There are some things you should do before you book your reservations for a hotel that might be infected.

Nowadays, the Internet is the most efficient way of gathering information. Search the hotel on the Internet and check hotel reviews and ratings by other clients. If people mention bed bugs, you might want to consider a different hotel.

The Bed Bug Registry lists hotels and other buildings in the U.S. where bed bugs have been sighted. It’s a great place to investigate hotels.

It is advised to keep anti itching cream with you when you travel.

Bed bugs are very dangerous when they are in hotels. Because when you travel from one place to another, you are transporting bed bugs to another city, state, or even country.

What people also forget is that they can bring bed bugs from hotels back to their homes. In case of bed bugs infestation at your home, you can call Clutter Trucker, and our professionals will help eliminate them. Read More…