Prevent Bed Bugs After Holiday Travel: 2025 Homeowner Guide
According to AAA, over 100 million Americans travel during the holidays, and 74% of pest pros report a 20–30% spike in bed bug calls post-Thanksgiving (NPMA 2024). One overnight stay can bring dozens home in your suitcase.
Don’t let travel turn into an infestation. Follow Evergreen’s 8-step bed bug prevention protocol below.
How Bed Bugs Travel (And Why Your Home Is Next)
Bed bugs don’t fly or jump — they hitchhike.
They crawl into luggage, clothing, or shoes in hotels, Airbnbs, or even a relative’s guest room. Hours or days later, they climb out in your bedroom.
A single infested hotel room can seed dozens of homes in one week. If you’re hosting holiday guests, the risk doubles.
How to Check for Bed Bugs in Your Hotel Room
Before you unpack, take a few minutes to inspect your room; it could save you a significant headache later. Bed bugs are tiny and sneaky, but they leave behind clues if you know where to look.
- Start with the bed. Pull back the bedding, including the mattress cover, and inspect the seams of the mattress, particularly around the corners and the headboard area. Look for small dark spots (fecal stains), shed skins, or live bugs.
- Check nearby furniture. Inspect nightstands, upholstered chairs, and the luggage rack. Bed bugs often hide in cracks, joints, and seams close to where people sleep.
- Keep your luggage elevated. Instead of setting your suitcase on the bed or floor, place it on the metal rack or in the bathroom while you inspect the room.
- Use a flashlight. Even your phone’s light can help you spot small reddish-brown bugs or eggs tucked away in seams and crevices.
If you find signs of bed bugs, notify the hotel staff right away and request a different room that isn’t adjacent to the one you inspected.
Your 8-Step Post-Travel Defense Plan
Follow these steps to prevent a bed bug infestation at home:
- Unpack in the garage or bathtub; never on carpet or bed.
- Inspect luggage seams with a flashlight (bed bugs hide in hard-to-see areas).
- Vacuum the suitcases inside and out; seal the vacuum bag and dispose of it outside.
- Wash all clothes in hot water (120°F or higher), even unworn items.
- Dry on HIGH heat for 30+ minutes to kill eggs, nymphs, and adults.
- Store empty suitcases in sealed bins outside the bedroom.
- Check mattress seams weekly for four weeks; early detection saves money and reduces stress.
- Call Evergreen at the first sign of bed bugs; we have the expertise to exterminate these biting pests.
How to Spot Bed Bugs: 4 Key Signs
Blood spots: Rusty red dots on sheets or pillowcases
Fecal stains: Black ink-like specks on mattress seams or headboard
Eggs/shed skins: Tiny white ovals or pale casings in folds and cracks
Live bugs: Flat (unless they’ve recently fed), apple-seed-sized, mahogany brown (nymphs are smaller and lighter)
Check: mattress piping, box spring, headboard, dresser drawers, baseboards, behind pictures, and upholstered furniture.
Found Bed Bugs? Evergreen Pest Solutions Can Help
If the signs show up once you’re back home, that’s where Evergreen Pest Solutions steps in. The sooner you act, the easier it is to prevent bed bugs from spreading. Early detection means faster elimination.
When you call Evergreen, our licensed experts will inspect your home to confirm whether bed bugs are present. If they are, we’ll guide you through prep steps and schedule treatment at a convenient time.
Available in Richmond, Salem, Chesapeake, and throughout our Virginia service area, our proven bed bug control combines methods that kill on contact with long-lasting products that target any stragglers hiding out of sight. Additionally, we offer follow-up visits to ensure your home is completely free from bed bugs.
Don’t let bed bugs hitch a ride home from your holiday travels. Put our prevention tips to use, and if you spot the signs, call Evergreen Pest Solutions right away. We’ll help you rest easy again.
FAQ: Your Bed Bug Travel Questions Answered
Can bed bugs live in my car after traveling?
Yes. They can go for extended periods without eating and survive as long as temperatures remain between 46°F and 113°F.
Do I need to throw away my suitcase if it has bed bugs?
Not usually! Finding bed bugs in your luggage doesn’t mean you have to throw it away. With the right steps, you can safely treat your suitcase and keep using it. Ask our experts what to do.
Are bed bugs only in cheap hotels?
No, 5-star resorts report them too. Any high-traffic room is at risk.
How soon after travel should I inspect my home?
Start immediately and re-check weekly for 4 weeks. Eggs hatch in 6–10 days.
Can I prevent bed bugs while still on my trip?
You can certainly try by following best practices, such as keeping luggage in the bathtub, using hotel luggage racks, and sealing dirty clothes in plastic bags nightly.
