Don’t Travel Without Reading These Bed Bug Removal in Calgary Tips!
Ah, the joys of traveling! Exploring new cities, tasting new cuisines, and… encountering bed bugs? Yup, unfortunately, these pesky critters can be uninvited guests during your journeys. As a Calgary etymologist with Major Pest Control Calgary who’s specialized in bed bugs (and had my fair share of close encounters on my travels), I’ve got the down-low on keeping these pests at bay. So, buckle up, fellow wander lusters. Let’s dive deep into the world of bed bug removal in Calgary!
Understanding Bed Bugs: A Quick Primer
The What and The Why
Ah, bed bugs! Those little uninvited travel companions we all dread. Let’s break it down: Bed bugs are tiny, reddish-brown critters, about the size of an apple seed. While they might be shy (you’ll rarely see them during the day), they sure love a nighttime feast on our blood. Eek!
Now, how to spot these sneaky pests? They often leave behind tiny black or rusty spots on bed linens or mattresses. The rust-colored spots are from feeding on bloodmeal. These spots are usually found on bed linens – close to where they are feeding. The darker spots on the other hand are their fecal matter. These spots are usually found close but not on the bed, like the bedframe, night table and floor. Once, after a fun weekend getaway, I was unpacking and noticed these spots on my PJs. Let’s just say, that night, I became a bed bug detective, flashlight in hand, inspecting every nook and cranny of my room.
It’s not just the dark red and brown spots that will tip you off about the bed bugs presence. Once they feed, they’re soon ready to lay eggs. These tiny eggs are oval and white, and are often found in clusters, as they can lay up to 7 eggs at a time. They are sticky, making them cling to each other, and help them stick in place to where they’ve been laid, like the cracks and crevices of a mattress, close to where they feed.
The key takeaway? Always be on the lookout and trust your instincts. If something looks fishy, it just might be a sign of these pesky freeloaders! And besides the itchy bites, they can hitch a ride back to your home, leading to a full-blown infestation.
Where They Hang Out in Calgary
When you’re on the hunt for bed bugs, these little critters are masters of hide-and-seek. Picture this: once during a staycation, I had a sneaking suspicion of their presence. And guess where I found them? Not just in the bed as the name suggests! They love dark, cozy spots. Think mattress seams, bed frames, and even in the folds of your curtains. But they don’t stop there. One time, I even found one nestled inside my bedside alarm clock! Yep, they’re crafty.
They can also be found in cracks in the wall, under loose wallpaper, tucked inside electrical outlets or even hiding in the head of a screw! The lesson I learned? When checking for bed bugs, let your inner detective shine. They might be tiny, but their sneaky hiding places can be quite expansive. So, channel your inner Sherlock and inspect beyond the bed! Bringing a flashlight can help you search all the dark corners and crevices for signs of these troublemakers!
Pre-travel Bed Bug Prevention Tips
Research Your Stay
Before booking any accommodation, whether you’re looking to stay in hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts or Airbnb, you will want to check out reviews. Google reviews are a great place to start, but websites like TripAdvisor can also be a goldmine for this. If someone has encountered bed bugs, they’re likely to shout it from the digital rooftops!
Don’t just look for reviews, contact the management team to ask what their bed bug policy is. A well managed establishment will not be upset that you asked. Not only should they have one, but they should be able to easily share that policy with potential guests. Part of the policy should include that they get regular inspections to ensure they are bed bug free.
They should also have the contact info from a credited pest control company like Major Pest Control in Calgary that they can call quickly if they or a guest do spot these unwanted visitors. If they don’t have a policy, or are upset when you ask about one, it’s a good sign to steer clear of those accommodations. Right now, bed bugs are seeing a worldwide resurgence, so due diligence from all parties will ensure your vacation goes smoothly, and you won’t bring an infestation home with you!
Pack Smart in Calgary
Packing for a vacation, or any kind of travel always has a mix of excitement of getting a break and leaving beautiful but chilly Calgary, and that tiny fear of forgetting something crucial. Now, let me share a little hack I picked up during my many travels: packing to outsmart bed bugs. First things first, always go for hard-sided luggage. I remember this one time in Paris, my soft cloth bag practically sent out a ‘Welcome’ sign for these bugs.
Hard cases? They’re like the bouncer outside a nightclub for these pests. If you do any amount of travelling, the hard-shelled suitcases are worth the investment! Next, consider using sealable plastic bags for your clothes. You can buy large vacuum sealed bags for your shirts and pants that not only protect from pests, but also saves you valuable room in your luggage while keeping your suitcase organized! You can even buy Ziplock bags for your smaller items, like socks, shoes, underwear and even toiletries. It’s like giving your outfits their personal bodyguard! No bed bug will infiltrate your clothes in a plastic bag!
Another great packing tip: I like to put a few drops of peppermint oil, cinnamon oil or tea tree oil in a spray bottle of water and spray my luggage. Bed bugs hate the smell, and it will keep your suitcase and its contents smelling fresh for the duration of your trip! While essential oils alone won’t keep the bed bugs out, it can be part of your overall bed bug prevention strategy!
Finally, I take a large plastic bag (like a garbage bag) that I keep in my suitcase until I get to my destination. When I arrive, I put my suitcase in the plastic bag, which acts as a physical barrier against bed bugs. The bonus is I put my dirty clothes in the bag at the end of the trip, which makes post travel laundry so easy!
During Your Vacation: Vigilance is Key
Stow Your Luggage
While it might be tempting to make yourself at home once you finally get to your room – don’t do that just yet. You should look for signs of a bed bug infestation first. But you’ll need to find a place to put your luggage while you’re doing that. If you leave it on the floor, it could get bed bugs or eggs on it, that will transfer to the rest of the room, as well as your clothes.
While you’re looking around the room for any signs of bugs, put your luggage somewhere safe, like on the luggage rack that most accommodations will have in the closet. If there’s no luggage rack, the bathroom is a safe bet. Not only is it a room that bed bugs typically avoid, since their food source doesn’t spend a lot of time there, but the slippery tiles make it hard for these pests to move around. Bed bugs don’t jump or fly, and their legs are hairless, which means they prefer fibers to crawl around on.
So put your luggage in the bathroom – even in the bathtub to keep it safe from pests while you’re searching the room for signs of bed bugs.
Inspect Your Room
Upon entering your hotel room, resist the urge to flop on the bed immediately, since the bed will be one of the first places clues to an infestation may be. Therefore, channel your inner detective and inspect the room starting with the bed. Pull back the cover and look for tiny black or rusty spots on bed linens – a telltale sign of bed bug activity. I like to pack a small flashlight in my carry-on luggage for this purpose. Next, pull back the sheets and check the seams of the mattress.
You’re not only looking for these dark spots, but especially on the mattress, you will be looking in the crevices for white, oval eggs. Once the bed is clear, check the headboard, especially if it’s fabric, that’s another favorite hide out for these nocturnal pests. Once, I found a tiny, reddish-brown dot on a headboard while travelling with my family, and upon further inspection, I discovered that yes, it’s a bed bug. Once the bed is clear, check the surrounding areas closest to the bed next, like the joints of the nightstand drawers.
It might feel silly, but it will help you see in the dark corners of the room, and in the nooks and crannies. The first time I ever did a bed bug check was in this adorable B&B in Prague. I felt a bit like Sherlock with my flashlight, scanning every nook and cranny, but it can provide you with a lot of peace of mind, especially because bed bugs are so small, they can be in some incredible hiding spots, like the joints of the drawers of the nightstands.
After that, move to the soft furnishings like the carpet, sofas, and chairs. Don’t forget the curtains; found one there in a swanky Miami suite. And remember to trust your nose: sometimes, a sweet, musty scent can give them away. I’ve picked up on that telltale aroma a few times. It might feel odd doing the bed bug boogie at first, but trust me, a quick look around when you check-in can save you a lot of itchy troubles later. Go on, channel your inner detective, and make it part of your travel routine!
If You Spot Any Bed Bugs
Okay, so you’ve done your detective work, and yikes – you’ve spotted one of those pesky critters. First off, don’t panic! Your first instinct might be to pack up and run! But there’s a smarter way to handle it. Snap a picture of the bug as proof. If you are following this advice, you haven’t unpacked at this point, but if you have, calmly pack your bags, making sure you seal everything in plastic bags if you can, to prevent any bugs from hitching a ride. Next, head to the front desk and show them the evidence. Most hotels are really understanding about it. They should move you to another room.
Bed bugs can’t jump or fly and are slow crawlers. They usually find their way to new locations by hitching rides in furniture, luggage, and clothing, so keep in mind that one hotel room with bed bugs does not mean the whole building is compromised. Just make sure the new room is not next door, above or below the infested room. But search that new room for bed bugs just to be sure. However, if you’re not comfortable staying, find another place. Most places will have a protocol in place for dealing with bed bugs, and if they don’t, you may want to rethink your plans to stay there.
Post-travel Precautions
Unpack Wisely Back Home in Calgary
Once you get home, even if you’re running on two hours of sleep and three cups of coffee, resist the urge to flop onto your bed. Instead, try this unpacking ritual I developed – it ensures no stow away bed bugs will make it into your home! I unpack my stuff in the garage or on my porch. All the bags of clothes go straight into the washing machine, even before I bring the suitcases inside!
Once the clothes are in the wash, bring your suitcase inside and give it a thorough vacuum. Don’t forget to empty out your vacuum after you’re done – if there are any bugs that got sucked up by the vacuum, they will easily escape the filter. Empty it into a garbage bin outside promptly. If you have a handheld steamer, use it on all the interior of your suitcase to kill anything that didn’t get eradicated with the vacuum. Once your luggage is clean, put it away, ready for the next trip. Oh, and don’t assume that since your next trip is months away that you that any bed bugs in the luggage will be dead by then.
Bed bugs can live a shockingly long amount of time in between blood meals – around two or three months in regular circumstances. But in northern climates like Calgary, the cooler weather will slow the bed bug’s metabolism down, and they can survive for up to a year! You will definitely want to avoid a delayed bed bug infestation!
Wash All Your Clothes
When you are washing the clothes from you vacation once you’re back in Calgary, adhere to this important rule: whether you wore them or not, wash all the clothes. While this might seem like an unnecessary step that makes this chore larger, it’s very necessary. If there are any bugs or eggs that made their way into your clothes, you will appreciate this step, as it will effectively kill the bugs and their eggs. And not just on any setting on the washing machine. Wash them in the hottest water the clothes (and the washing machine) can handle.
When they come out, dry them on the highest heat setting. Heat is a surefire bed bug killer. If your clothes can’t go into the dryer, hang them to dry outside in the sun, or at least in a sunny window, as sunlight is a natural disinfectant. If you don’t put your clothes in the dryer, you can use a handheld steamer on them. The steam is definitely hot enough to kill them. After this step, no bed bugs will have a chance at survival! The more fastidious you are at unpacking neatly, the less you’ll need bed bug removal in Calgary.
Dealing with a Potential Infestation in Calgary
Don’t Be Ashamed of Bed Bug Infestations
First off, having bed bugs doesn’t mean you’re unclean or that you made a travel mistake. It happens to the best of us – infestations are just as likely in a clean home as a dirty one. Bed bugs are simply having a worldwide resurgence, and that’s not your fault. In fact, during my early days of traveling, I had a minor infestation at home. The key is to act fast. It’s essential to tackle the issue head-on and begin the process of bed bug removal in Calgary.
Begin by verifying the infestation. Capture a bug and have it identified by a pest professional like the entomologists at Major Pest Control Calgary to ensure it’s a bed bug. If you can’t find any evidence on your own, you can always call pest control to investigate for you – they have the tools, skills, and experience to find even the sneakiest bed bugs. The next thing to do is declutter your home. This step will reduce the number of hiding spots for the bugs.
Pack away as much as you can in plastic bins with lids or in plastic bags that you close tightly. Make sure to wash all your linens, curtains, and clothes in hot water and then dry them on the highest heat setting to kill the bugs and their eggs. However, be careful while doing laundry. Put all the laundry in a plastic bag or bin and carry it directly to the laundry room.
It’s also advisable to vacuum your home thoroughly, focusing on cracks, crevices, and hidden areas. However, once you’ve vacuumed thoroughly, immediately dispose of the vacuum contents outside. Keep in mind that vacuuming will only get rid of so much – you will likely still require additional help. Experts recommend moving your bed six inches away from all walls and other furniture and ensure that any bedding does not touch the floor. This will make it difficult for bed bugs to get to you for their blood meal.
Since they can’t jump or fly, and their legs are hairless, they have trouble climbing smooth surfaces, removing easy access will slow down the infestation. Seal any cracks in walls or floors to prevent further infestation. Remember, consistency is key. While bed bugs can be persistent, with continuous effort and the right approach, you can rid your home of them.
Seek Professional Help in Calgary
If you suspect you’ve brought some bed bugs home, call in the experts. DIY treatments can often make the problem worse, especially as many bed bugs are resistant to pesticides and insect repellants. Sometimes, improper use of insect repellants can even spread the infestation, as the bed bugs scatter to escape the poison that doesn’t kill them. Even vacuuming and doing laundry can spread the infestation, requiring bed bug removal in Calgary if you’re not careful. Bed bugs can crawl out of the vacuum filter if it’s not emptied promptly. Bed bugs can be transported from room to room while doing laundry.
Therefore, once the infestation is confirmed, you may want to consider hiring professional pest control services. The expertise and tools at Major Pest Control Calgary are specifically designed to treat bed bug removal in Calgary effectively. They will do an inspection, to see the size and scope of the infestation, and to put together a plan on how to effectively treat your home. They may decide to use chemicals, or heat treatment, but know that once you’ve decided to use professionals to help, you are in good hands!
Contact a pest control expert near you today!
Travel is a joy, a way to broaden our horizons and enrich our souls. But no one wants to deal with bed bugs. With a bit of caution and these handy tips, you can ensure your journeys are bite-free. If you have any questions at all about bed bugs, the experts at Major Pest Control Calgary will be more than happy to answer all your questions. Safe travels and may your adventures be bed bug-free!