Travel Safety

After travel, check luggage and nearby areas for bed bug signs such as tiny brown spots (fecal marks), pale shed skins, small eggs or eggshells, and live or flattened bugs. Early detection can help prevent establishing an infestation in your home.

Travel smart habits can lower the risk of picking up bed bugs and spreading them to your home.

• Inspect hotel rooms for live bugs, shed skins, or dark spots on mattresses and furniture.
• Keep luggage on a luggage rack away from beds and walls; consider using a hard-shell case.
• Wash and dry travel clothes on high heat as soon as possible after returning home.
• Store luggage in a sealed area for several weeks if you suspect exposure.

Early detection and careful storage help with prevention and make follow-up easier if needed.

Yes, bed bugs can hide in luggage, bags, and personal items after visiting a hotel or public space. This is a common way they move between locations.

• Inspect seams, pockets, and corners of your luggage.
• Keep bags on luggage racks or hard surfaces.
• Wash and dry travel clothes on high heat when you return home.

These steps help lower the chance of bed bugs spreading into your home.

Empty your bag outdoors or over a light sheet and inspect seams, zippers, pockets, and the luggage liner with a flashlight. Look for live bugs, tiny white eggs, and dark fecal specks.

Vacuum the suitcase, wipe hard surfaces, and store it away from bedrooms until you are sure it is clear. Wash clothes on hot dry if you stayed somewhere with suspected activity.