This One Tiny Travel Mistake Could Bring Bed Bugs Home After a Trip

"Let's make one thing clear: bed bugs don't discriminate. You can come across them in any destination, at any accommodation, including everything from roadside motels to five-star resorts. We don't say this to scare you, but rather, to keep you vigilant so your vacation isn't wrecked by one teeny, tiny creepy crawler. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to check for these bad boys and ensure they didn't latch on to you or your luggage and hitch a ride home."

"After returning from your trip, leave your bags outside or in the garage until you've had a chance to thoroughly inspect them," Crumbley told Real Simple. She further noted to check over your luggage and all the items inside on a hard (concrete, hardwood, tile, basically anything but carpet) light colored surface to ensure you can see the bugs. Look at the inner and outer shell of the luggage as well as the zippers, seams, and pockets, where bed bugs love to live."

""Next, run all washer-safe clothing on a hot water cycle," Crumbley said. "For added protection, you can also toss clothes in the dryer on high heat for roughly 30 minutes before washing-this will help remove bedbugs in all life stages, including the eggs.""

Bed bugs can be encountered in any destination or accommodation, from roadside motels to five-star resorts. Leave luggage outside or in a garage immediately after returning home until a thorough inspection is completed. Inspect luggage and contents on a hard, light-colored surface; check inner and outer shells, zippers, seams, and pockets where bed bugs hide. Run all washer-safe clothing on a hot water cycle and use a high-heat dryer for about 30 minutes before washing to kill bed bugs and eggs. Inspect rooms at check-in and check-out to detect visual signs of infestation.

Read at Travel + Leisure