For most people, bringing bed bugs back home after a fantastic trip is the biggest nightmare, with the little pests wreaking havoc even if the infestation starts out in small numbers. In the UK, bed bugs represent the fourth most prevalent pest problem. What’s worse? Warmer temperatures trigger a 67% surge in cases each year.

Following the UK’s recent heatwave, with summer now in full swing and — most crucially — the holiday season fast approaching, UK Google searches for terms such as ‘how to know if you have bedbugs’ and ‘how to check for bedbugs‘ have soared by over 4,750% in the last 30 days. This indicates that the public is increasingly worried about these pests, particularly as summer travel is set to ramp up in the coming months.

In response to these growing concerns, Sharon Robson from Mattress Online has shared tips to help identify and prevent the spread of bed bugs while travelling, along with how to avoid bringing these pests back home with you.

Elevate your luggage

Sharon’s number one tip is easy, quick, and costs absolutely nothing. It’s also a traveller’s first line of defence to avoid bedbugs altogether.

The expert shares: “When you first arrive at your accommodation, be sure to elevate your luggage above carpets and away from walls. Avoid unpacking your suitcase on the bed before you’ve had a chance to inspect it for signs of bedbugs. Use metal luggage racks or place your case on a hard surface like a table or desk.”

Spot the early signs of bedbugs

Several revealing indicators suggest your hotel or accommodation may be harbouring bedbugs (or even your home). First, you need to be alert to sweet, musty odours, which signal a particularly severe infestation.

Sharon also recommends looking out for black or rust-coloured marks on bedding and mattresses.

Finally, search for empty, brown casings or flat, oval brown shapes — which may be the insects themselves.

Try the credit card trick

Sharon has another no-cost, easy, and effective trick up her sleeve.

For a more thorough examination of your accommodation — or even when you return back home and are concerned about a possible infestation — use a plastic card along with your phone torch.

Bedbugs favour concealment and love to hide in tight spaces and confined areas such as mattress seams, labels, and tufts, so a credit card serves as a useful probing tool to access narrow spaces like mattress piping, bedframe corners, and any gaps.

All you have to do is shine the torchlight and carefully press the card, running it along creases to inspect for bugs and eggs.

Wash and dry clothes on high heat after coming home

Should you remain worried that you may have come into contact with bedbugs during your travels, the moment you arrive home, you should place all of your clothing into a hot wash straight away.

Sharon advises: “Leave your luggage on a hard surface like a bathroom or laundry room floor and unpack directly into the washing machine. Clean your clothes on a hot wash cycle and dry on a high heat for 30-60 minutes to kill any live bugs or eggs.”

Invest in hard-shell suitcases

Another expert-backed tip is to invest in hard-shell suitcases, if possible. Soft-sided luggage offers numerous hiding places for bedbugs, meaning you could unwittingly heighten your risk of transporting them home from your travels.

Bedbugs cling onto rough or porous materials, whereas hard-shell luggage features smooth, solid exteriors, making it challenging for these pests to attach themselves.

With the added advantage of being simpler to examine and sanitise, it could be a worthwhile purchase if you’re concerned about spreading these unwelcome guests. So if your finances allow — you should definitely consider investing in this bedbug-deterring item.

Sharon shares: “Bedbugs thrive in areas where lots of people are coming and going, they also favour warm and humid conditions, which means there’s a higher chance of infestations across the summer holidays.

“From hotels, hostels, and holiday rentals to public transport, it’s crucial to know how to spot a potential infestation to prevent bringing any unwanted souvenirs back from your trip.”