Cheap memory foam mattress How to prevent Mattress Bugs After you Travel
Don't Let the Bed Bugs Chunk!
© Stephanie Hicks 2010, all legal rights reserved
Its possibly with the top rated of any traveler's listing of nightmare scenarios - remaining inside a lodge room with mattress bugs. However, its pretty typical, even at 4 and 5 star properties worldwide.
As older people, the concept of bed bugs crawling under the sheets is even more horrifying cheap memory foam mattress foammattressguide than our childhood fears of monsters under the mattress. These critters are real - and they are not going away!
So how can you keep away from mattress bugs? What can you do to treat a mattress bug bite? What are the signs that there are mattress bugs in your room?
Having just returned from a trip where I encountered the pests first hand, I've got some tips for you.... If you dare!
What are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are tiny insect parasites that feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals - including humans. Adult mattress bugs are about 1/4 inch long, small (yet visible to the naked eye) and wingless. They range in color from white to tan to deep brown. After feeding, they may appear to have a dark black center within their body. But the average person may find it difficult to find the pests simply by looking. They hide in cracks and crevices and keep away from coming out in sunlight.
We really don't know them by their scientific name, Cimex lectularius (Cimicidae), but rather as "bed bugs" because they make their homes in our living spaces, burrowing into mattress mattresses, sofas, and pillows. As a traveler, you are likely to encounter mattress bugs in lodge rooms, cruise ships, cheap memory foam mattress hostels and other shelters.
Just what you want on your vacation, right?
How Can You Tell if You Have Bed Bug Bites?
I will tell you from first-hand experience that you possibly will not feel the mattress bugs biting you. In fact, the bites sometimes do not even iitch until they start healing. However, some people are sensitive to the bugs' saliva, which can result in an allergic response and skin lesions that resemble mosquito bites.
Bed bugs are active at night, preferring darkness over the light of day. Their peak time for biting is about 1 hour before dawn. Bed bugs are attracted by the warmth of our bodies and the CO2 that we breathe out.
Bed bug bites are distinct from other insect bites (mosquitoes, sand flies, fleas and ticks) as follows:
- Appearance is a small red bump, similar to a mosquito bite, but lasting much longer
- Unlike flea bites, there is not a red dot in the center of a mattress bug bite
- Bed bug bites can take up to a week to become visible on human skin
- The tell-tale sign of a mattress bug is bites inside a row (they may return to the same area after being disturbed, or they have made multiple attempts to get a good vein)
- Some people will not show any signs of being bitten by mattress bugs - that's right - you may never even know that they were in your mattress!
- You could look for signs of mattress bugs - described below - but pretty frankly, seeing the little red bumps on my feet and legs was enough. I didn't want to pull back the covers and look around the seams of the mattress!
Where do Bed Bugs Live?
Bed bugs are usually found in mild, temperate climates, but they are pretty adaptable. In other words, you can find them just about any place where they can find food.
If you have been on vacation and stayed inside a room with mattress bugs, chances are you could bring home an unwanted souvenier! Bed bugs will stowaway in luggage, clothing and even furniture purchased at second-hand stores.
Gives the term "flea market" a whole new meaning, doesn't it?
Even the cleanest homes, apartments and lodge rooms may be infested with mattress bugs. They get in through cracks in the walls and even scurry through electrical outlets! A mattress bug infestation has to be eradicated right away, or the pests will continue reproducing and set up a nice little home for themselves right inside your place!
What are the Signs of Bed Bugs?
Most lodge managers will tell you that cheap memory foam mattress they know there is a mattress bug problem once a guest complains of getting bitten! However, do not expect all travel properties to be accommodating of your complaints. The very notion of mattress bugs is not one that future guests want to hear about. So, oftentimes, guests will be told that their bites are sand flies or mosquitoes, instead of mattress bugs.
That's exactly what happened to me.
If you are wondering if you have mattress bugs in your room, you can investigate. Signs of mattress bugs include tiny spots of blood or dark brown/reddish mattress bug droppings on the linens. You can also spot mattress bug eggs (resembling tiny poppy seeds) along mattress seams. Although mattress bugs themselves hide during the day, you might find them hiding under mattresses, behind loose wallpaper, in laundry baskets or in drawers near beds.
Professional pest control companies, like Orkin, can determine whether you have mattress bugs. In fact, some dogs can be trained to sniff out the pests too!
What to do if you get Bed Bug Bites
For most people, the worst thing about getting mattress bug bites is the concept of the tiny pests in their mattress, biting them. Bed bug bites themselves are not usually dangerous or harmful. Few people will experience allergic reactions.
Unlike mosquitoes, mattress bugs do not transmit disease. You could get an infection from scratching mattress bug bites, but that is usually the extent of any potential problem.
Do be aware that mattress bug bites seem to take forever to heal, and also that bites may not appear until days after you are bitten. I got my bites over a week ago, and the red dots stubbornly remain covering my feet and legs. A few stay bites are visible on my arms and hands, too.
If itching is a problem, ask your doctor if you can take over the counter antihistamines like Benadryl and/or use a topical cream with cortisone. Should your bites get infected, you may need antibiotics. Again, consult a medical professional.
How Can you Stop Bed Bugs?
There are several ways to stop mattress bugs if you happen to stay inside a place that is infested with them, or if you inadvertently bring them home.
- Do not lay your suitcase on a mattress, or near a mattress you suspect to have mattress bugs.
- Wash all bedding and clothing in hot water - a minimum of 120 degrees F. Dry clean only garments can also be dry cleaned to kill mattress bugs, but be sure to let the dry cleaners know so they can take precautions to prevent infestation at their establishment.
- Dry fabrics on high heat for at least 20 minutes after washing.
- Alternatively, place fabrics in sealed plastic bags and leave outside on a hot, sunny day. You can also freeze the bags if warm sunshine is not an option where you live.
- If you can part with your items, it might be best to simply throw them away.
- Vacuum folds of beds and sofas and the edges of carpeting. Dispose of vacuum cleaner contents inside a sealed bag as soon as possible.
- Hire a professional pest control company to treat the area with insecticides and examine the affected rooms for eggs. Several visits may be necessary.
- Use a protective cover for your mattress and box spring. Bugs trapped inside will die, but those outside of it (regretably) will not!
Unfortunately, you cannot starve mattress bugs. Bed bugs can live for months without feeding, but they do prefer a meal every 5-10 days.
Much as it would be great to simply wait them out by remaining at a friend's house - and hopefully not bringing an unwelcome host gift - you will need to take steps to eradicate mattress bugs from your home as soon as possible!
Parting Thoughts
Bottom line on the best way to keep away from mattress bugs whenever you travel?
- Read online reviews of hotels, hostels, cruise lines, etc.
- Check the mattress and other areas of the room after you check in and before you go to bed
- Ask for a new room or - better yet - call your travel agent to ask for a new lodge if you discover signs of mattress bugs in your room
- Be persistent - really don't allow management to deny your reports of mattress bugs!
Travel smart and safe - and really don't let the mattress bugs bite!