Adult bed bugs are visible to the human eye and approximately ¼-inch long by 1/8-inch wide – about the size of an apple seed. Adults are typically brown or reddish-brown in color; bed bug nymphs may be lighter or translucent.
Check out these tips from Western Exterminator to avoid bringing these awful creatures inadvertently into your home.
IN HOTELS
- Place your luggage on non-upholstered furniture away from the bed, such as a desk. If using a luggage rack, inspect it for bed bugs.
- Pull back the corners of bedding on the bed and check the mattress and box spring for bed bugs or signs of bed bugs. Pay special attention to seams, where bed bugs like to hide. If you notice black marks on the mattress, that could be an indication of a problem.
- Inspect the night stand for signs of bed bugs.
AFTER TRAVEL
- Immediately inspect your suitcase for signs of bed bugs when you return home. Place all your clothing from the baggage in the clothes dryer for 15 minutes on high heat, even if you didn’t wear them.This can kill any bed bugs that may have snuck into your luggage.
Check out more cleaning tips and how tos on our How to Clean Series Blog.
