When traveling throughout the United States, there is a risk that you’re going to run into serious problems. Besides being mugged or robbed, you have to worry about encountering
bedbugs. These pests are more common than you could ever imagine. Once they’ve invaded your home, your life is going to be flipped upside down. Suffice to say, you’ll want to prevent this from happening. The best way to do that is by protecting yourself when traveling. Below, you’ll find out how to rely on the SLEEP acronym to avoid issues.
S – Surveying The Room
When you first arrive at your
motel, you’ll need to carefully check the motel room. Failing to do so could result in you sleeping in a motel room that is infested with
bedbugs. If you’re going to be sleeping in a room with bedbugs, you’re going to run into serious issues. The
bedbugs will climb into your luggage and travel home with you. It is pertinent to avoid such problems. Surveying the room may help. Carefully search the room to make sure it is free of pests. Remember that
bedbugs can hide on mattresses, box springs, and elsewhere throughout the room.
Also, pay close attention to the scent of the room. If it has a sweet, musty odor that resembles soda, it could be bedbugs.
L – Lifting & Looking
A quick survey won’t cut it. If you want to be positive that the room doesn’t have
bedbugs, you’ll need to go in for a closer look. Remember that
bedbugs tend to hide on mattresses and box springs. You need to remove the sheets from the mattress. Once you’ve done this, you can carefully search the mattress and box spring. Bedbugs often hide in the cracks and folds of the mattress. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding bedbugs on the mattress. However, you’ll also need to look under other furniture. Check all potential hiding spots to find out what you’re dealing with.
E – Elevation
Next, you’ll want to focus on elevating your luggage from the ground. If you throw your luggage on the floor, bedbugs are going to climb inside during the middle of the night. Prevent this from happening by using the room’s luggage rack. When you do so, you can make it harder for bedbugs to enter your luggage. Just remember to pull the rack away from the walls. Once you’ve done this, bedbugs won’t be able to climb up the wall and enter your luggage.
E – Examination
Before returning home, it is pertinent to make sure that your luggage is free of pests. Bedbugs are excellent hiding and hitchhikers. Check your luggage before leaving the motel and as soon as you arrive at home. When checking your luggage at home, it is wise to do so in an exterior room. For instance, you should use your utility room or garage. Doing this will prevent the bugs from climbing out and scurrying into your home.
P – Placing Them In The Dryer
Finally, you should eliminate bedbugs on your clothes and luggage by throwing them in the dryer. Bedbugs cannot survive when exposed to extreme temperatures. Therefore, you can eradicate the bugs by using your dryer. Throw your clothes inside. Then, dry your clothes using the hottest temperature. Be sure to let your clothes dry for 15 minutes or longer.
When you do this, you’ll force the bedbugs to encounter extremely hot temperatures. They won’t be able to survive. Just remember that there is always a risk that bedbugs are going to invade your home. Therefore, you should prepare for the worst possible situation. Learn more about the exterminators in your area so you can be ready to conquer a problem when it occurs.
