You know you have a bed bug fear when you have nightmares at times about the pesky hotel, hostel and innocent bed and breakfast guests. Sadly, I do dream of bed bugs, only because I have successfully avoided them on my travels. The problem is they are always there, lurking on my next stop and yours too. If you want to make sure bed bugs don’t bite you on your next trip, here are a few steps to take. Step One—Read reviews and bed bug sites for properties with the critters: You can avoid booking a place with bed bugs by checking out reviews and sites that list recent incidents of bed bugs. BedBugRegistry.com is a popular site for recent listings at accommodations. One thing to keep in mind, bed bugs travel and they travel quickly. You might book a place without bed bugs listed in any reviews or registries, only to find them behind your pillow. Step Two—Immediately place luggage on rack and away from bed: I place my luggage off of the floor and on to a luggage stand the minute I enter my room. Many experts also say to keep your luggage as far away as possible from the bed, chairs, etc. One stop the bed bugs don’t seem to enjoy is the bathroom, so if you are really worried, you can place your luggage in the bathroom. Step Three—Check room for signs of infestation: While you might just want to collapse on your hostel’s bunk bed after a long travel day, don’t. You should first check to see if your room has a bed bug infestation. Bed bug battlers say to pull back the sheets and inspect the mattress, specifically at the corners. Look out for stains, spots or the bugs themselves. They are usually reddish-brown in color. You will also want to look behind the headboard and bedside table for the critters. Step Four—Pack garbage bags just in case: After surveying the situation in step three, you might have discovered the bugs or you might be good to go. If you think you will still have nightmares about the critters, consider packing garbage bags just in case. You can cover your bags to avoid bringing bed bugs to your next destination. If your room does have an infestation and you didn’t notice in time, you probably have a case of the bed bugs. Garbage bags can help you isolate the clothes or other items that may have been in contact with the bugs. Step Five—Notify management, move rooms or change accommodations: If you do find bed bugs, you will want to speak with management. While you might just want to get out of the hotel, you can only further the problem by not saying anything to those who run the place. If you are comfortable staying at the same establishment, ask for another room far away from your old one. If you don’t think you will be sleeping at night even in the same hotel, change accommodations altogether. Step Six—Wash clothes and other items and be cautious outside of hotel rooms: If you were the victim of bed bugs, be sure to wash all of your items you packed with you heavily and on high heat. Also it is important to know that bed bugs aren’t just fans of hotel rooms. They also enjoy the floors of airplanes, buses, trains, taxis and even retail stores. Always be careful of what items you are tossing on the floors of these common spaces. It’s also a good idea to just cover them up with garbage bags as a precaution.
Don't forget to 'Like us' on Facebook!
Editor's Top Picks Delivered Weekly
When Hotels Lack Affordable Amenities: Three Things To Research Before You Check-InComments: 0Rating: 0 / 0
I was on my way to Chicago and began to wonder about the parking at my hotel. A quick search had my mouth dropping in wonder. I quickly found out that the hotel’s parking cost nearly $50 for self-parking and almost $60 for valet. When you factor in staying three nights, the parking amenities would end up costing nearly the price of my stay. Especially in big cities, hotel amenities that are free or affordable can be hard to come by for the traveler. You need to look for ways to cut back the sting of those big-ticket items. From parking to Internet, here are a few areas that you can research before you check-in to avoid just accepting the hotel’s budget breaking amenities....read more
A Toasted Ravioli Tour of St. LouisComments: 0Rating: 0 / 0
I was just like other travelers before me as I stood under the Arch in St. Louis. I am in the Gateway to the West not for any particular reason, other than toasted ravioli tasting. The stomach filling and diet-breaking dish was reportedly born out of the Italian neighborhood southwest of the city. Ravioli can just be ravioli, but in St. Louis it is fried up like a fluffed up pillow and served as an appetizer, even if that palette starter is heartier than the main course. In order to understand this quintessential St. Louis food, you must do as I did, go taste it at some of the supposed best restaurants for toasted ravioli. Here are three tastings of toasted ravioli in St. Louis that are sure to leave stomachs bursting and taste buds satisfied....read more
Visit Kid-Friendly Oslo, NorwayComments: 0Rating: 0 / 0
Norway’s capital city of Oslo is one of the most kid-friendly destinations in Europe. Here are some ideas for great ways to spend time as a family (and learn about Norwegian culture and history) in this vibrant and cosmopolitan city....read more
Dealing with Homesickness While Traveling: Four Tips for Making Yourself at Home on the RoadComments: 0Rating: 0 / 0
The travel deprived often never see the open road as somewhere that might cause aches for home. However, seasoned travelers know that the grass is always greener on the other side. In lands where you don’t speak the language or merely those weekly business trips to points on a map that are certainly not home, homesickness can creep into the traveler’s itinerary. It is only natural, but it shouldn’t put a rain cloud over your trip. If you are battling the homesickness blues on your travels, try implementing a few of these tips and tricks to make the road feel a little bit like home....read more
Taste of London Celebrates 10th AnniversaryComments: 0Rating: 0 / 0
The perennially popular Taste of London restaurant festival marks its tenth anniversary this summer with its biggest and best line up to date. The event will be jam packed with world class restaurants, celebrity chefs and lots more foodie fun and activities. The festival takes place from Thursday the 20th to Sunday the 23rd of June in London’s Regent’s Park. The theme of Taste of London 2013 is one of “collaboration and reunion” that is to be realized with UK and international chef talent coming together to celebrate a decade's worth of “culinary magic from the food capital of the world.”...read more
Enter Promo at time of check out. Promo code provides $15 or the amount of the promo code, discount for stated routes against our service fees. Use of Promo code is in addition to any applicable instant savings offers. Actual amount of discount varies based on the service fees charged. Service fee discount will be up to the amount of the service fees charged less any applicable instant savings for that transaction or the value of the promo code, whichever is less. Promo code expires on date stated and can be withdrawn without notice.