This is a sponsored post on behalf of Mom It Forward & Orkin. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Bed Bug Tips for Travelers

 A few days ago I spent an interesting and informative evening at The Rollins Learning Center here in Atlanta. The Rollins Learning Center is where training and education is shared about Orkin. Myself, and other bloggers were able to learn from an entomologist about different insect species, their jobs, and why we consider them pests. We focused more on one pest in particular……The bed bug! 

Amazingly, bed bugs actually began their lives in caves. They are pretty unique, because they are one pest that only feeds on humans. They are attracted to heat, body odor, & CO2. Bed bugs can live for up to 6 months without a meal, so they are pretty difficult to kill. I left feeling a little grossed out, but now I know what signs to look for when I travel, to make sure bed bugs don’t return home with us from hotels. One of the bloggers from our group, Kathy, was a brave soul and allowed a bed bug to bite her. The entomologist made sure to let us know that bed bugs don’t transmit disease. I still didn’t offer myself up as a volunteer. 

Since spring break is upon us, I wanted to share these tips with you all to make sure you can sleep soundly while traveling! 

• SURVEY – When entering your hotel room, you want to make sure to survey the area for any signs of infestation. Look between cracks and crevices in your room. Check for tiny black spots which would be an indication that bed bugs were there. 
• LIFT – Lift the bed skirt, comforter, and sheets. Check behind pictures hanging on the walls. Bed bugs are attracted to heat, and hide in warm spaces. 
• ELEVATE – Keep your luggage off of the floor. Place your suitcase on top of the rack provided in the room, and live out of your suitcase. Make sure not to place your clothes in the hotel room drawers because bed bugs hide in those crevices. 
• EXAMINE – Take a close look at your luggage and clothes before you leave the hotel and after you return home. Make sure there are no signs that you are taking bed bugs back to your residence. 
• PLACE – Bed bugs will die at temperatures of 122F. When you return home, place all of your clothes in the dryer for 15 minutes on hot. Another good way to kill bed bugs would be to leave your luggage in a hot car on a summer day. 

 I was happy The Orkin Man shared all this info! I will definitely be putting these tips into practice on my next trip. Do you have any vacation plans this spring or summer? Have you ever checked your hotel for bed bugs? 

Ashley