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I’m an Entomologist. Here’s How I Avoid Bed Bugs When I Travel

Photo of luggage to prevent bed bugs when traveling

If you’re traveling this summer , you might be worried about bed bugs crawling into your luggage and hitching a ride home with you. With all those creepy Paris infestation headlines circulating online last year and, more recently, reports of sightings in several Las Vegas strip hotels , it’s hard not to freak out.

Thankfully, these critters don’t transmit diseases to humans, Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, PhD , an entomologist and senior associate of the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program at Cornell University, tells SELF. But still, bed bugs are considered public health pests for good reason: “They can bite on exposed skin at night—the face, neck, arms, legs, hands, feet,” Dr. Gangloff-Kaufmann explains.

In rare cases, their bites can cause severe allergic reactions (like life-threatening anaphylaxis ), and scratching them can sometimes lead to secondary skin infections such as impetigo and ecthyma. Not to mention, these pests multiply quickly and can easily take over your home, which may do a number on your mental health. So, it’s a good idea to protect yourself, especially if you’re staying in a hotel or vacation rental.

That’s because, as the name implies, bed bugs are usually found in, yep, beds. (They feed on human blood , so where better to lurk than where we sleep and lie still for hours?) As they reproduce, however, “they can spread to other nearby areas, like side tables or under lamps, as well as rugs and curtains,” Dr. Gangloff-Kaufmann explains.

Before you completely spiral and cancel your trip, though, there are a few steps you can take to keep your vacation as pest-free as possible. Below, Dr. Gangloff-Kaufmann shares her top three tips for avoiding bed bugs when traveling.

1. Don’t leave your luggage on your bed.

Whatever you do, avoid putting your suitcase on the bed, where those little creepy crawlers tend to hide. “Bed bugs thrive in crevices close to humans,” Dr. Gangloff-Kaufmann says—meaning they can also live in the nooks and crannies of places like couches, armchairs, rugs, and carpeted floors.

Instead, prop your belongings above the ground, ideally on a luggage rack (you can usually find one in the closet or entryway of a hotel room): “Bed bugs can technically climb, but they wouldn’t—not unless a person is sitting on [the rack]—since these pests are motivated by a host’s scent and warmth,” she says.

If your accommodation doesn’t have a luggage rack, you can also place your suitcase on a hard, tiled surface (like the bathroom floor) or, as recommended by the American Lodging and Hotel Association , in the car until you’ve done a thorough inspection (see below). Another option: Cover your luggage with a plastic trash bag.

2. Strip the sheets and examine every inch of your mattress.

To thoroughly scan your room for bed bugs, Dr. Gangloff-Kaufmann says to start by stripping the sheets, blankets, and pillows from the bed. (Yes, it’s kind of inconvenient, but it’s worth the hassle to ensure your safety.) Then, lift the mattress and use your phone’s flashlight to check for signs of these unwelcome guests (read on for the biggest red flags).

Don’t stop there: “Other places to inspect include the boxspring sides, the bed skirt if there is one, and all around and behind the headboard,” she adds. (You can do this by pulling the bed away from the wall, if possible.) And make sure to examine the furniture too—sofa, chairs, nightstands—as well as curtains and rugs.

Okay, so what exactly should you look for? It’s important to recognize bed bugs in all their life stages (eggs, newly hatched babies, and adults) along with their telltale markings (including blood stains and fecal droppings—fun!). Googling photos (or referencing the images below) is probably the easiest way to ID these things, but here’s a quick rundown: Adult bed bugs are mahogany-colored, wingless (unlike beetles or cockroaches), and about the size of a lentil or apple seed. They’re round (and plump) if they’ve eaten, Dr. Gangloff-Kaufmann says, and flatter, longer, and more ovular if they haven’t.

Sidebyside photos of adult bed bugs

Newly hatched babies are much smaller (about 1 mm long) and change in color depending on if they’ve ingested blood: They’re pale white or clear if they haven’t but if they have, you can see the blood in their bodies, making them appear red, tan, or mahogany-brown, Dr. Gangloff-Kaufmann explains. Their eggs are pearl white but may be hard to see without a flashlight since, she says, they’re the size of “a comma in The New York Times .”

Sidebyside photo of a newly hatched bed bug and bed bug eggs

You may also encounter their poop stains (tiny clusters of brown or black spots). “They look like magic marker dots [about this size: •], and if you were to wipe the marks with a damp cloth or paper towel, the residue would be rust-colored, reddish-brown,” she explains. Bed bugs can also shed their “skin” (technically, their exoskeleton), so you might stumble upon a translucent, possibly light brown, empty shell.

Sidebyside of bed bug poop stains and exoskeleton

3. To play it safe, fire up your hair dryer to exterminate potential intruders.

Most standard pesticide sprays won’t kill bed bugs, but you know what will? Heat. According to the Environmental Protection Agency , these bloodsuckers die when their body temperature reaches 113 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to Fall Down Correctly (Because Yes, There’s a Right Way to Do It)

Whether you’ve possibly spotted these critters or just want to be extra cautious, using a hair dryer is an easy way to exterminate them with lethal heat and ensure they won’t bite or reproduce. Of course, it’s hard to gauge whether your tool has reached that perfect temperature. That’s why Dr. Gangloff-Kaufmann suggests using this simple trick: Blow hot air under the seams of the mattress, around the boxspring, behind the headboard, and so on, and hold the dryer in each spot for a few seconds. Then, touch the area you just blasted: If it feels uncomfortably hot on your hand, that should definitely be intense enough to scorch a bed bug.

Dr. Gangloff-Kaufmann’s final bit of advice: Even if you’re confident you’ve dodged any little hitchhikers, it’s smart to do a quick post-vacation inspection too: She recommends giving your belongings a once-over for any of the above signs, tossing your clothes (including unworn ones) into a hot dryer for 30 minutes, and scanning your body for possible bites. (Everyone reacts differently, but they typically resemble a cluster of mosquito or flea bites and may be itchy and swollen, per the CDC ).

Now that you’re armed with some pre- (and post-) getaway tips, hopefully you can travel with more peace of mind—and return home without any unwanted souvenirs.

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bed bugs travel in suitcases

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

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How to Get Bed Bugs out of Your Suitcase (Guide)

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Dealing with bed bugs is something that we all eventually have to do if we enjoy traveling. But when bed bugs hit, they hit hard, and if you aren’t cautious, you can bring them back home. If they spread throughout your household, the only way of truly getting rid of them is by paying ridiculous sums to insect treatment crews.

Don’t worry though, because if you know how, you can deal with bed bugs quite easily. In this article, we’ll teach you how to get rid of bed bugs from your luggage, your clothing, and anywhere else, so they don’t spread to your household .

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in Luggage (Quick Guide)

  • Isolate them from spreading . Put all of your clothing in sealed plastic wraps.
  • When home, leave your clothes and suitcase outside. Don’t bring your current clothing, the suitcase, or the contents of it inside, as this could spread bed bugs throughout your whole house.
  • First, treat your clothes. Put the contents of your luggage and your clothing in a dryer on the hottest cycle for 20-30 minutes, which is enough to kill bed bugs.
  • Vacuum your suitcase. This will get rid of most bed bugs. Make sure to dispose of the vacuum bag as well.
  • Kill the remaining bed bugs. Use insect pesticides or a professional steam cleaner (above 160F degrees) to kill all remaining bed bugs.
  • Vacuum again and do a final inspection.  First vacuum everything to get rid of all the dead bed bugs, leave your suitcase outside for a week, and come back to do a final inspection. Your suitcase should now be bed-bug-free.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in Luggage (Long Guide)

Step 1: put your clothes in sealed plastic bags.

If you’re on vacation and you just noticed bed bugs, the first thing you should do is isolate the problem to stop them from spreading. First of all, go to hotel management, let them know about the problem, and ask for a different room . Before switching rooms, try to shake off and remove as many bed bugs from your luggage, clothes, and other items as you can.

Next, you should go to a local convenience store and get a few plastic bags and tape. Garbage bags will do just fine. Put all of your clothes inside the plastic bags, seal off the ends with tape and place everything back in your suitcase. If you still have a few days of vacation left, separate your clean clothes from used ones, and try to keep your luggage on a shelf or inside a closet for the rest of your trip. The best option would be to put all of your items inside the plastic bags and buy new clothes to last you for the rest of the trip .

Step 2: When You Come Home, Keep Your Suitcase in a Safe Place

When you finally arrive home, keep your suitcase in an isolated place outside of your home, like on the porch or in a shed. It’s also a good idea to take off all of your current clothes, put them straight inside the washing machine, and take a shower to avoid getting any bed bugs inside your home.

Step 3: Start by Treating Your Clothes

First, you should get rid of all the bed bugs from your clothes which is easy to do if you have a washing machine and a dryer. Open your plastic bags, place clothes inside the washer, and get rid of the plastic bags by taking them to a dumpster. Don’t put the empty bags in your personal garbage can! Wash in the hottest possible temperature. This process will kill most bed bugs, but not all of them. Next, dry your clothes in a medium or hot cycle for 20-30 minutes. This will be enough to kill off all the remaining bed bugs as well as all the egg s.

Step 4: Vacuum Your Suitcase Throughout

Once you’ve cleaned all of your clothes, some bed bugs and eggs will remain in your luggage. To get rid of them, vacuum your suitcase throughout. Use the tiny adapter to get to all of the pockets and crevices, especially around the zippers.

Step 5: Get Rid of All the Remaining Bed Bugs

Vacuuming isn’t enough because there are still some bed bugs and their eggs left inside all the crevices that are hard to reach. You can kill bed bugs with an insect pesticide or hot/cold treatments . If you’re okay with using pesticides, spray the whole suitcase with an aerosol spray meant for killing bed bugs and wait a few minutes for it to work. You can find these in most convenience stores.

If, however, you’d like to use something more natural, you could kill them off with hot/cold treatments. If it’s summer, and you have a greenhouse or a car that gets above 120 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, you could wrap your suitcase in a large plastic bag, seal it off with tape, and let it sit for a few hours in hot temperatures, which would kill them off. And if you have a large enough freezer, you could place your infested suitcase inside. That said, it takes a while to kill them off with cold treatments. They start to die at 32 degrees Fahrenheit but take weeks to do so . At 0 degrees Fahrenheit, they’ll take four days to freeze to death.

Another popular treatment is killing bed bugs with steam cleaners . At around 160 degrees Fahrenheit hot steam, bed bugs die off instantly . Not all steamers heat this high, so you may need to rent a professional steamer to do the trick. Steaming your whole suitcase slowly and carefully until the surface gets damp but not completely wet will kill off all the hidden bed bugs and their eggs.

Step 6: Vacuum All the Dead Bed Bugs, and Do a Final Inspection

Finally, when you’ve killed all the remaining bed bugs, vacuum your suitcase one last time to clean off all the killed bed bugs and their eggs. Inspect the suitcase thoroughly to check if you’ve removed everything. Once you’ve finished, make sure to get rid of the vacuum bag by throwing it in the dumpster outside your house.

Read Next: How to Clean Your Suitcase in 20 Minutes or Less

How to Prevent Bed Bugs From Getting Into Luggage While Traveling

Unpacking an opened suitcase with clothes

If you’re staying in budget accommodations, it may be a good idea to protect yourself from a potential bed bug infestation. You can do that by following a few guidelines.

Use Plastic Covers for Luggage

Usually, we keep spare garbage bags inside our suitcases if we know we’ll be in budget accommodations. When we arrive, we take everything we need out of the suitcase and place it inside the large garbage bag. This ensures that no bed bugs will get inside. You can also find dedicated luggage covers that claim to aid in avoiding bedbugs. Unfortunately, we haven’t had any luck in finding a good one so far.

Keep Your Suitcase off the Ground

Bed bugs are most commonly found on the flood and in beds ( hence the name bed bugs.)   So it’s a good idea to keep your suitcase off the bed and ground at all times. Instead, try keeping your luggage on a shelf or in a closet so bed bugs can’t get inside. Also, try to keep all of your clothes inside your suitcase instead of unpacking everything. 

Store Your Dirty Clothes Inside a Sealed Plastic Bag

Bed bugs are drawn to body heat, sweat, and the carbon dioxide that you breathe out. Your dirty clothes produce scents that are very attractive for bed bugs, so it’s a good idea to keep your dirty clothes inside a sealed plastic bag . This way, they won’t be drawn to the smells inside your suitcase.

Other Commonly Asked Questions About Bed Bugs

How to get bed bugs out of purses, totes, duffels, and backpacks.

Getting bed bugs out of smaller, flexible bags is much easier compared to large, bulky suitcases. First, you need to wash your purse, tote, duffel, or backpack in a washing machine on a hot cycle . This will kill off most of the bed bugs, but not all. Next, you need to put your bag in a dryer on the hottest setting for about 20-30 minutes , which is enough to kill all the remaining bed bugs.

How Do Bed Bugs Look Like?

bed bug on a black fabric close-up

In the picture above, you can see quite a large bed bug. Grown adults will look similar to the picture above, but their younger peers are much smaller. Still, they’re larger than ticks and fleas. Bed bugs have large bellies, six legs, and two front antennas . Male and female bedbugs are different in appearance, with the female appearing to be smaller and rounder while the male is longer and slimmer. They usually are in brown/yellowish color and, besides the black droppings you will find everywhere, you’ll also see white/transparent eggs that look similar to tiny rice grains .

Can Bed Bugs Get Inside Closed, Zippered Luggage?

Unfortunately, bed bugs can get through most zippers, even if they’re closed . Of course, having a closed suitcase will significantly lower the chances of bed bugs getting inside, but they still will be able to get through the small gaps between the zipper teeth.

P.S. Most zipperless hard-shell suitcases, with tight aluminum zipperless sections, are bed-bug-proof. You can check out our comparison of the best zipperless suitcases over here .

How to Know If You’ve Bought Bed Bugs Home?

If you’ve had any bites during your vacation that resemble bed bugs or flea bites, it’s best to do a throughout inspection of your luggage before you go home. Look at all the tiny crevices of your suitcase ( especially around the zippers ) and your clothes, especially the dirty clothes because bed bugs are attracted to dirty laundry. If you find their droppings, eggs, or bed bugs themselves, you should do a full bed bug removal treatment on all of your clothes and luggage. If you can’t find any, that still doesn’t mean that you’re bed-bug-free. It’s best to do a full treatment anyway if you have any bites that resemble bed bug bites because dealing with a bed bug house infestation is a hundred times worse than doing a full treatment on your clothes and luggage.

Which Bed Bug Sprays Work on Luggage?

You must select a bed bug spray carefully because not all sprays will be as effective. Also, you should apply them carefully and try to spray all the crevices of your suitcase. Low toxicity sprays like SteriFab™ or Bedlam® are only effective when applied directly to and throughout the infected area. Alcohol and soap-based sprays are only partially effective because they don’t kill the eggs. Most bed bugs are somewhat resilient to Pyrethroid sprays. EcoRaider™ and Bed Bug Patrol™ are two plant oil-based pesticides that have recently proven to be extremely effective against killing bed bugs. You can find more info about pesticides for bed bugs over here . 

Do Handheld Steamers Kill Bed Bugs?

Bedbugs are killed instantly by steam in 160 degrees Fahrenheit or more. Most handheld steamers will reach these temperatures, but professional ones will get even better results. If you’re using a cheaper handheld steamer, make sure that it has a constant steam flow. If the steam flow is consistent and thick, you should be able to kill all the bed bugs from your luggage. But to be sure, you’ll have to use a handheld thermometer to see if the steam reached 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

When it comes to removing bed bugs from your suitcase, you will want to remove any brush attachments from the steamer before you start steaming. Use the steamer in slow movements and make sure to cover each spot for at least 30-60 seconds . You want the fabric to become hot and damp but not completely wet. Once you’ve finished the whole suitcase, let it dry. To make sure that the treatment is effective, repeat the process one more time.

What Temperature Kills Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs can’t survive in extreme temperatures. Heat treatments are usually more effective in treating bed bugs.  Bed bugs start to die at 117-123 degrees Fahrenheit . A hot washer cycle is enough to kill off most bed bugs. For a more thorough treatment, use your dryer in the hottest setting for at least 20 minutes. Heat boxes and saunas above 120 degrees are also effective methods.

Freezers with temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit are also effective but require around four days for all the bed bugs and their eggs to die . Although bed bugs  start to die below 32 degrees Fahrenheit , it may take weeks for them to die, and eggs won’t die off until you reach lower temperatures. You should use cold treatments only below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. 

How Long Can Bed Bugs Survive Inside Luggage?

Nymphs ( a newly hatched bed bug ) can survive a few weeks without eating anything. Full-grown bed bugs can survive for up to five months without feeding . So you could potentially wrap up your suitcase in a plastic bag, seal it off completely, and let it sit for about six months until all the bed bugs die off hunger.

Do Bed Bugs Survive in a Washing Machine?

Hot settings of washing machines are usually at 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Because bed bugs die off at around 120 degrees Fahrenheit, washing them in 130 degrees is enough to kill off most of them. That said, it won’t kill all of the bed bugs because water cools off quickly, and the eggs are harder to kill. So using just a washing machine on a hot setting isn’t enough to kill bed bugs. After washing, you should continue by placing your clothes in a dryer on a hot setting for at least 20 minutes , which will be enough to kill all the remaining bed bugs.

Do Bed Bugs Suffocate Inside a Sealed Plastic Bag?

It’s impossible to kill bed bugs inside sealed bags , even inside vacuum-sealed ones . Although bed bugs die off without oxygen, even vacuum-sealed bags have some air left in them, and bed bugs don’t need much, so they’ll survive. The only way they’ll die is if you keep the bag completely sealed for at least six months because they will die from starvation.

Can Bed Bugs Eat Through Plastic?

Using plastic is the only effective way that we’ve found to securely transport bed bug-infested suitcases. But can they eat through that plastic? Luckily, bed bugs can’t chew through plastic because they don’t have teeth! Bed bugs use a proboscis, a needle-like, beak to pierce your skin. That doesn’t mean you’re completely safe, though, as they can fit through very small holes in the plastic. We recommend using layers of garbage bags!

Can You Shake Bed Bugs off Your Clothes?

By shaking your contaminated clothes, you can get a few larger bed bugs off, but it isn’t enough to get all of them off.  Smaller, younger bed bugs and their eggs will most likely still hide near all the seams, so shaking off bed bugs isn’t really that effective.

Can Bed Bugs Travel With You on Your Clothing?

Bed bugs like to live in a calm, stable environment, like your bed or your luggage. Transporting them through your clothing is possible, but it’s unlikely . That said, if you think that you’ve been infested with bed bugs while traveling, we would definitely recommend you to take off your clothing before coming back home, as there’s still a small chance that they’re hidden in your clothing.

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One response to “How to Get Bed Bugs out of Your Suitcase (Guide)”

Oscar, your words resonated with me on a deep level! As a fellow outdoor enthusiast, I too have felt the serenity of a sunrise hike in the Rockies. Could the tranquility be attributed to the absence of modern distractions? Also, have you ever experienced the same calmness in an urban setting? I believe cities, with their own unique rhythms, can offer a different, yet equally rewarding form of serenity. As for encouraging others to connect with nature – what if we introduce more urban gardens? This could be a stepping stone to larger adventures. Just some food for thought! Keep up the amazing work, Oscar! 🙌🌳

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Tips for Travel

Información relacionada disponible en español  

When traveling:

Person inspecting a hotel luggage stand for bed bugs

  • Check the mattress and headboard before sleeping.
  • Inspect luggage racks.
  • In hotel rooms, use luggage racks to hold your luggage when packing or unpacking rather than setting your luggage on the bed or floor. Try to keep luggage away from bed.
  • Upon returning home, unpack directly into a washing machine and inspect your luggage carefully. Remember that time in a dryer at high temperatures kills the bed bugs (just washing will generally not kill bed bugs).
  • Store suitcases away from your bedroom, such as in the basement or garage. Never store suitcases under your bed.

More Information

  • Print a card to carry with you when traveling
  • View videos and other information on preventing bed bugs while traveling
  • How to find bed bugs

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How to Prevent Bed Bugs While Traveling: 8 Effective Tips

Backpacking , Packing , Packing Tips

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It’s not the nicest of topics but the truth is that not all travel is glamorous and Instagram-worthy. Budget travelers, backpackers, and some unfortunate vacation-goers may find themselves in unpleasant accommodation conditions infested with certain pesky little creatures: bed bugs. Eww. Gross but true. Learn how to prevent bed bugs while traveling with these eight helpful tips!

How to Prevent Bed Bugs

Written By: Jessica Lippe

Table Of Contents

On my first overnight trip abroad, I unknowingly shared a bed with hundreds of hungry bed bugs. I woke up with bite marks decorating my legs, and the weeks that followed included lots of itching.

Editor’s note: this happened to me on the first stop on my  RTW trip , too!

Fortunately, this one buggy experience didn’t stop me from discovering the joy of travel. Instead, I learned more about these tiny creatures and gained a few skills to detect and avoid them.

Since this outing, I’ve gone on many more travels and managed to avoid bed bugs each time, including a return trip two years later to the same hotel where I had my first and only bed bug encounter.

The secret to traveling light is to create a functional but minimalist capsule wardrobe. Learn more in my guide !

Travelers are always at risk for bed bugs. It doesn’t matter if you stay in the swankiest resort or the cheapest hostel.

I’ve been impressed over the past few years with the measures that the hospitality industry has taken to reduce infestations, but there are still a few things that we, as individuals, can do as well. All it takes is a few simple items that you can easily fit in your luggage.

Note that none of the following can guarantee you an adventure free from bed bugs, but they can help slow the spread of these unwanted hitchhikers.

Here are eight tips on how to prevent bed bugs while traveling:

bed bugs travel in suitcases

Delsey Helium Carry-On

The Right Kind of Suitcase

I’ve noticed that suitcases on the market today are mostly black. Although black does go with everything, it’s very difficult to spot bed bugs on a suitcase of this color!

Light-colored bags can help you detect bed bugs earlier. Better yet, a hard-sided suitcase means fewer access points for bed bugs compared to a fabric bag.

Take a look at the best hardside luggage options available!

how-to-prevent-bed-bugs

PETZL Outdoor Headlamp

LED Flashlight

When you first arrive at a new accommodation, it’s a good idea to do a bed bug inspection. Bed bugs thrive in darkness, so turn off the lights and close the curtains to make sure you’re as thorough as possible. Using your flashlight, take the sheets off the bed and inspect the corners of the mattress.

If you see little dots, it could be blood, waste, or carcasses of bed bugs. Also, shine your flashlight in outlets, furniture screws, and other tiny hiding places.

If you see anything scurrying away from the light, leave the room and notify staff immediately. This may not help you in your mission on how to prevent bed bugs initially but at least you might be able to switch rooms.

Find out why we always pack a travel headlamp when traveling to certain destinations!

how-to-prevent-bed-bugs

Osprey Ultralight Raincover

Heavy-Duty Garbage Bag

How to prevent bed bugs has a lot to do with planning ahead. You should keep your luggage away from any item that has the potential for bed bugs. This includes beds and other people’s luggage. When flying, don’t check your luggage but keep your carry-on with you.

If you’re staying in a hotel, use the foldable luggage holder if it’s provided. If you’re in a hostel, keep your belongings in a metal locker.

Read our hostel checklist !

But there may be some instances where you have no choice but to keep your bag where it will touch furniture and other people’s suitcases.

Whether you’re using luggage storage or stowing your backpack in the underbelly of a long-distance bus, first put it in a large, heavy-duty garbage bag as a makeshift bed bug barrier.

You can use this garbage bag method any time you want to protect your luggage. The drawbacks are that it can be a hassle to put on and take off, and you don’t want your bag to be mistaken for trash!

If you do end up getting bed bugs, please keep your luggage bagged up so you prevent spreading it to other travelers.

You can also buy a reusable backpack cover  or suitcase cover like the one shown above.

how-to-prevent-bed-bugs

Ziploc Storage Bag

Plastic Baggies

Ziploc bags provide the same kind of protection as a heavy-duty garbage bag, but are more ideal for clothing and other small objects. Using a garbage bag outside your suitcase and baggies inside your suitcase can work double-duty in isolating and avoiding the spread of bed bugs.

As a bonus, Ziploc baggies do a great job of organizing your belongings. You could also use packing cubes !

Take a look at the best luggage organizers !

how-to-prevent-bed-bugs

Eddie Bauer Full-Zip Hoodie Sizes: XS-XXL Regular | S-L Petite | M-XXL Tall | 2X-3X Plus

Long Pants and Long-Sleeved Clothing

During my bed bug incident, I wore capri sweatpants to bed. The bugs feasted on my calves, but I didn’t have a single bite mark above my knee.

I’ve heard from some people that clothing doesn’t always deter bed bugs, but there’s no harm in at least trying to keep them away with a protective layer in your efforts on how to prevent bed bugs.

Sleep in long pants and a long-sleeved top whenever temperature permits while traveling. Since bed bugs can infest more than just mattresses, I try to wear long pants on travel days in case they are lurking in a bus or plane seat. I’ll often even wear a scarf over my head while napping because I don’t want my face to be bitten!

There’s a variety of bug repellant clothing available. Neutral colors might be your best bet if you plan to wear them for anything other than sleeping.  Take a look!

how-to-prevent-bed-bugs

Zella Live In High Waist Leggings | Sizes 1X-3X Plus

Machine-Washable Clothing

Even if you insist on wearing shorts and tank tops when you travel, at least make sure that all your clothes can go through a washing machine and dryer. I mostly hand-wash and line-dry my clothes when I travel, but I still check the clothing tags before I pack.

If I’m afraid that I’ve had contact with bed bugs, the heat from the hot water and clothes dryer will kill them. Although machine-washable electronics and suitcases would be nice, isolating them and wiping them down has seemed to work so far.

These are the best leggings for women that travel according to our readers!

how-to-prevent-bed-bugs

Ethique Refreshing Soap Bar

Bar of Soap

Let’s say, despite your precautions, that you do pick up bed bugs. The good news is, you don’t have many health issues to worry about. Unlike other bugs you may face while traveling, such as ticks and mosquitos, bed bugs don’t spread disease.

However, those nasty bite marks they leave behind are at risk of infection. Clean the bites regularly with soap, and you can continue your adventures without delay.

Here are other solid toiletries to help you minimize liquids!

how-to-prevent-bed-bugs

Sawyer Products Insect Repellent

Bug Spray? Eh, Maybe Not

The bug spray you wear to avoid mosquito bites won’t help you at all with bed bugs.

You could purchase a small canister of bed bug spray, but it comes with downsides. Most sprays on the market don’t kill bed bugs; they only repel them. That means the bugs will just hide in harder-to-find places.

If you simply want to avoid bed bugs during a short-term stay, a spray might be worth considering. But for long-term stops, these sprays will only prolong the problem.

Especially don’t use these sprays if you accidentally bring bed bugs into your own home! There are other products and methods you’ll need to use for an infestation.

For mosquitos, these are the best insect repellants for travel!

EXAMPLES OF SOME (BUT NOT ALL) BUDGET TRAVEL ACCOMMODATION

how-to-prevent-bed-bugs

What are your tips on how to prevent bed bugs? Please comment below!

For more travel essentials, please read:

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bed bugs travel in suitcases

Author Bio: Jessica Lippe craves uncommon adventure and has fond memories in Northern Italy as part of last summer’s Mediterranean Trek. Read about her travels and other adventures at JessicaLippe.com .

16 Comments

Silvia Tallarico

Spray alcohol in beds and linen is the best way to ride off the bed bugs. I wasted lots of money in sophisticated insecticides and nothing work.

Alex

Thanks for sharing your tips to prevent this with us Silvia.

LISA J

so i’ve been told time and time again that the hotel foldable luggage racks are one of the worst places to actually set your luggage on, as well as the bed and a carpeted floor. if you have a countertop they say that’s the best place, or the bathtub (which isn’t always practical, i know)

Hi Lisa, thank you for sharing your tips on how to avoid bed bugs with us! 🙂

mark

is there a lightweight sleeping bag that will keep them out???

Hi Mark, thank you for reaching out! You may find this article helpful: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/sleeping-bag-liner/ A sleeping bag liner is great for keeping bugs out. Hope this answers your question! 🙂

Sharon Kolupski

Hello! I will be traveling cross country soon via train, spending 2 nights each way, sitting in royal blue cushioned coach seats. I have already bagged everything going into my (washable) duffel bags. I will change my clothes in the train station before entering my daughters car. (and bag the clothes I wore on the train.) I will outer bag the duffel bags before they go into my daughters trunk. When we arrive at her home, I will also spray them down with 97% alcohol (outside) when I remove the outer bags, then take the duffel bags to be dried in a laundromat to be safe. Do you think I should also put all my bagged clothes from within my duffel bags into a dryer when I empty the luggage? Also, I am stumped about my purse while on the trains. I will bag my purse with a large zip lock bag (ordered on line). Should I also bag everything within my purse? (wallet, cell phone, etc.) Any other ideas would be great! Thank you so much!!!!!

Hi Sharon, it sounds like you have everything covered! If your are particularly worried about your clothes put them in the dryer once you arrive at your destination as the heat should help to get rid of the bugs whilst protecting your clothes. Hope this helps! Have an amazing time on your trip! 🙂

Martine

Thank you for the tips. Its my biggest travel fear. What to do if, ever, you bring them home?

alex

Try to wash your clothing as soon as you get home and never put your suitcase on your bed.

David H Couch

Washing does not kill bed bugs, so don’t put your bedbugs in your washer! Instead, dry your clothes FIRST (when still dirty) in a hot dryer, for 50-60 minutes. Then wash and dry your dirty washable items. This heat treatment will also protect many clothes that you cannot safely wash. After all, you cannot dry all clothes for an hour in a hot dryer after washing, it will damage many clothes. But when heated while dry, many items do fine. Also works for a lot of footwear, cheap small backpacks, etc. But don’t put your favorite sneakers or a fancy backpack in the dryer, it might not survive.

Raylene Hallman

if you want to stop mosquito bites without those nasty sprays just take Vitamin B1 25mg everyday. The vitamin causes a reaction on your skin that the mosquitos dislike. I’ve used this trick for 50 years, never had it fail. Unfortunately it has not worked on those little biting gnats.

Florence Brass

When I lived in Vancouver Canada we got bedbugs visiting. So we get to our apartment- we got naked ?? threw our clothes away and jumped in the shower.. I was in my twenties then and the thought of a bedbug and how hard to rid I was willing to streak

DeeDee Clark

I love following your suggestions. Though we can’t travel at the moment, we soon will be again.

Michele Berry

My biggest fear when travelling… not the bugs as much as the fear of bringing them home and trying to get rid of them then. Thanks for the info!

Happy to help 🙂

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Bed Bug Prevention Tips for Before, During, and After Travel

Everything to know from traversing the airport to unpacking when you get home.

bed bugs travel in suitcases

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A bed bug outbreak in Paris just nine months before the Olympic Games has tourists wondering how to prevent and treat those pesky critters, so Travel + Leisure spoke with experts about what to look out for and what to do if the insects do pop up. 

First things first: don’t panic. Bed bugs are annoying and difficult to get rid of, but they’re not typically dangerous, Eric Braun, a board certified entomologist and technical services manager for Terminix, told T+L. In fact, bed bugs aren’t known to transmit any diseases.

“It's the ick factor, right? They find them in areas where you're sleeping, where you're at your most vulnerable, where you feel protected and they're invading that space,” Braun said. “It's more of a psychological impact than it is a health-related impact.”

Since they’re not going to hurt you, Braun said his “main concern” isn’t getting bit, but rather “bringing them home and causing an infestation.”

From packing, to traversing the airport, to entering your hotel, and more, these preventative tips will hopefully keep your dream vacation from turning into a bug-infested nightmare.

Pick the right luggage

Bed bugs like dark cracks and crevices where they can hide, Braun said. While it’s possible for them to crawl onto any surface, they typically “like to come out when we're sedentary… so it's not probable that you're going to be walking down the airport and one is going to jump on your suitcase and tag along with you.” 

That said, they can climb onto any surface. That’s why packing in hardside luggage will make it less likely bed bugs will attach to the surface than if the suitcase was made of fabric, according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene . 

Be strategic at the airport

While comfy plush chairs in lounges and dark nooks may feel like the ideal spot to wait out a layover, Braun said that’s probably not your best bet if you’re trying to avoid picking up any unwelcome friends. Picking a hard, smooth plastic chair may be a better choice over a booth, for example.

“It's less likely [to find bed bugs] in areas that are lit and [where] people aren't sitting for extended periods of time,” he said. “It's more probable that you would contract them in a darker, more private secluded space.”

But while bed bugs prefer darkness, they will still come out when it is light, according to information from the United States Environmental Protection Agency provided to T+L.

Braun recommended travelers inspect the area they are sitting thoroughly and “pick chairs or locations that have as few potential hiding spots for these insects as possible.”

As for when you're actually on the plane, airfarewatchdog.com suggests booking a morning or daytime flight.

"Since bed bugs are nocturnal, the likelihood of them coming out in the daytime is relatively lower," the site noted, (with the caveat that luggage may still be stored in a dark overhead bin).

Unpack smartly

The first thing Braun does when he checks into a hotel room is store his suitcase in the bathroom. He also avoids luggage racks.

“When I travel, I don't unpack my suitcase, I do not put anything in the provided drawers, I do not leave any clothing around the hotel in the bed [or] on the floor,” Braun said. “Everything should be stowed away neatly… my suitcase goes in the bathroom and if they have a tub, it goes in the tub. Those are areas that are less likely for the bed bugs to be.”

Travelers can also hang their clothes in the closet.

“The bed bugs would have to crawl up the wall of the closet, crawl onto the post of the hanger, crawl down the hanger and crawl into your clothing,” Braun said. “They're not really very motivated to do that.”

Per the American Hotel and Lodging Association , travelers should consider placing their suitcase “in a plastic trash bag or protective cover during the duration of your trip to ensure that bed bugs cannot take up residence there prior to departure.”

Go straight from vacation to the dryer

If travelers suspect they’ve been bitten or came into contact with bed bugs , they shouldn’t panic. Instead, they should unpack their clothing directly into the dryer first — not the washer.

“You [can] wash them after you dry them, but the high heat will kill the life stages. The water isn't hot enough to kill them so they could survive a washing,” Braun said. “You're going to remove all the clothing from the suitcase, all the clothing that you're currently wearing, and you're going to place that in the dryer on high for about 30 minutes… if you have some items that can't go in a dryer that need to be dry cleaned, you would bag them up and take them to the dry cleaner.”

Braun added: “You're going to then look at your luggage, inspect your luggage. If you suspect that there's bed bugs in the luggage, you're going to have that professionally treated.”

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COMMENTS

  1. I’m an Entomologist. Here’s How I Avoid Bed Bugs When I Travel

    Whatever you do, avoid putting your suitcase on the bed, where those little creepy crawlers tend to hide. “Bed bugs thrive in crevices close to humans,” Dr. Gangloff-Kaufmann says—meaning...

  2. How to Get Bed Bugs out of Your Suitcase (Guide) - Clever Journey

    First, treat your clothes. Put the contents of your luggage and your clothing in a dryer on the hottest cycle for 20-30 minutes, which is enough to kill bed bugs. Vacuum your suitcase. This will get rid of most bed bugs. Make sure to dispose of the vacuum bag as well. Kill the remaining bed bugs.

  3. Tips for Travel | US EPA - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

    Avoid bringing bed bugs home by taking precautions when traveling such as inspecting bedding and luggage racks in hotel rooms, and upon returning home unpacking directly into a washing machine and dry at high temperatures.

  4. How to Prevent Bed Bugs While Traveling: 8 Effective Tips

    Using a garbage bag outside your suitcase and baggies inside your suitcase can work double-duty in isolating and avoiding the spread of bed bugs. As a bonus, Ziploc baggies do a great job of organizing your belongings.

  5. How Bed Bugs Spread, and How to Prevent It - Healthline

    But you can take steps to prevent the spread of bed bugs, including inspecting your room regularly for signs of bed bugs, checking your luggage and clothing when you travel, and keeping your...

  6. Bed Bug Prevention Tips for Before, During, and After Travel

    Per the American Hotel and Lodging Association, travelers should consider placing their suitcase “in a plastic trash bag or protective cover during the duration of your trip to ensure that bed ...