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Preventing bed bugs on road trip?

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jim2020

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Posted 1 year ago
Thu Mar 22 2012 16:18:21
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I have never had to deal with bed bugs ad pray that I never will which is why I am asking this. I currently live in New York state but will be driving down to Tennessee to visit family for a couple days then driving back. My brother will be staying the night tomorrow, sleeping on our couch. I'm assuming hes clear as he would have mentioned something. My real issue is that on the way down we plan on stopping at various places and most likely staying in NC for a night, then going down to TN, staying at my sisters house and staying at 2 more hotels on the way back. I only have a soft sided suit case which I am taking. I plan on inspecting the hotel matresses, head boards, behind picture frames etc. in the htoels. But I now that even if it looks clear you can still bring them home. What measures do I take to keep my home clear? When I return what do I do with my suitcase? My laundry room is in our basement, meaning I would have to walk through our foyer, living room, dining room and kitchen to get there. What do I do with the suitcase, clothes, shoes etc. to prevent any possible infestations?
cilecto

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Posted 1 year ago
Thu Mar 22 2012 17:36:59
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Hi, Jim. Our FAQ provide a great foundation of what everyone should know about bed bugs. Our Travel FAQ addresses the very question you ask. With a few precautions, you can reduce your risk of you or another visitor bringing bed bugs to your home or to another's.
Jenn28

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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Mar 23 2012 12:07:55
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This is a very important subject, which I tend to harp about after having bed bugs a couple of years ago. I don't think the people around me quite get it and I don't think they take it seriously either. Bed bug awarness is becoming bigger in the City I live in and I think that's great.
manhattanmom

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Posted 1 year ago
Thu Mar 29 2012 22:58:28
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My husband travels a lot for work so we have developed a kind of routine with this. He always leaves his suitcase in the bathroom during his entire stay, even if his inspection is clear. We bought these BugZip plastic luggage encasements that he keeps his suitcase in. When he comes home, he puts the encasements back on before coming in the door and I take the luggage to the bathroom to spray it and wipe it down. We also have these disposable laundry bags that you can put directly in the washing machine. They dissolve in the water. I toss the entire bag in the washing machine and put it on hot, adding some Borax, and I dry everything on high heat. His dry cleaning he seals in a garbage bag before leaving his hotel and I leave it in the bathtub until I can take it to the cleaners in the morning.

Hope this helps!! Good luck and try to enjoy your trip!
nervousness

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Posted 1 year ago
Thu Mar 29 2012 23:25:08
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My routine is similar to manhattamom's. Even if nothing turns up after room inspection, luggage stays in the bathroom. On road trips I just use large ziplocs. Plane trips: packtite the luggage. I leave the hotel in fresh clothes and shoes; if I eat breakfast at the hotel on the day I leave I wait until after I have eaten to change into the clothes I'm leaving in. This way I will have only checked out of the hotel in the fresh clothes and shoes = minimal chance of exposure. Clothes and shoes that were worn in the hotel get double ziplocked in the bathroom and go straight into the dryer as they enter the home. Of course, the empty bags are then sealed and tossed. I think it may be better to go ahead and dry the clothes before even washing them; washing them may not work. Sufficient heat (dehydration) is what works. I also make sure not to contaminate my car. Happy trails!
bedbugman

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Posted 1 year ago
Sat Mar 31 2012 14:29:34
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I too will be making a US road trip this July, my precautions will consist of a 2 min inspection of the bed.... Then straight to the bar

I won't be letting the bed bugs ruin my trip.
Nobugsonme

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Posted 1 year ago
Sat Mar 31 2012 20:04:49
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bedbugman - 5 hours ago »
I too will be making a US road trip this July, my precautions will consist of a 2 min inspection of the bed.... Then straight to the bar
I won't be letting the bed bugs ruin my trip.

I never let bed bugs ruin my trip, though I do a bit more than this.

Most people would probably be a bit cockier about this if they had a pest control license, which I am assuming you do.