What to Do if You Get Bed Bugs While Traveling

No matter how carefully you plan, sometimes bed bugs can make an unwelcome appearance during your travels. Waking up to itchy bites can be alarming, but don’t panic—this happens to even the most seasoned travelers. While bed bugs are a nuisance, they’re not dangerous and don’t spread diseases. If you find yourself in this situation, here’s a simple guide to help you tackle the problem.

Stay Calm

The first step when you realize you’ve encountered bed bugs is to stay calm. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, but anxiety won’t help. Bed bugs won’t make you sick, and with the right actions, you’ll soon be free of them. Keeping a level head is crucial to dealing with this issue efficiently.

Buy a New Outfit

Before you do anything, head out to buy a cheap, comfortable outfit. Why? Because you’ll need to wash everything you’ve brought with you, including your shoes, bags, and toiletries. Bed bugs don’t live on your skin or hair—they hitch a ride in your belongings. So, make sure to get something simple to wear while you deal with the rest of your gear.

Wash Everything

Take every item you can wash and place them in sealed plastic bags. Visit a laundromat and wash everything on the highest heat setting that won’t damage the fabric. Heat kills both bed bugs and their eggs, so this is a critical step in removing them.

Pro Tip: When loading your laundry into the machine, do it quickly to ensure no bugs escape. You can minimize contact with contaminated clothes by pulling your sleeves up while handling them. After washing, dispose of the trash bag outside to prevent any lingering bugs from returning.

Use the Dryer

Once your clothes are clean, move them straight into the dryer and set it to the highest temperature. The heat will kill any remaining bed bugs and their eggs. After drying, put your clothes in fresh plastic bags to keep them bug-free.

Disinfect What Can’t Be Washed

For items that can’t go into the washer, like electronics and toiletries, grab a high-grade rubbing alcohol and a spray bottle. Use a paper towel to wipe down all your belongings, including chargers, phones, and bags. Bed bugs can hide in the tiniest crevices, so make sure everything gets disinfected.

Your suitcase will also need a thorough wipe-down. It’s likely that a few bed bugs have made their way inside, so don’t skip this step.

Throw Away or Seal Non-Essentials

Bed bugs can infest nearly any item that offers shelter, such as books, postcards, or maps. If something can’t be washed or disinfected, it’s best to toss it. Items like money or passports can be safely sealed in a freezer bag and only taken out when necessary.

Consider Discarding Everything

If you’re unsure about the cleaning process or just want to avoid the hassle, the easiest option might be to dispose of your gear. While it’s not ideal, it’s the most foolproof way to ensure you don’t bring any bed bugs to your next destination. This is especially helpful if you’re short on time or simply don’t want to risk it.

Move to a New Accommodation

Once your gear is cleaned, it’s time to move to a new place. You can ask your current accommodation to switch you to another room, but we recommend relocating entirely. There’s no way to know how widespread the infestation is in the building, and staying in the same place might mean starting the process all over again. Even if it costs more, it’s worth the peace of mind to avoid bringing bed bugs home.

Check Your Travel Insurance

Typically, travel insurance doesn’t cover issues like bed bug infestations. This includes refunds for accommodations, re-booking, or compensation for missed transport. However, it’s always worth checking with your insurance provider to see if bed bugs fall under your coverage.

Dealing with bed bugs is one of the most frustrating travel experiences. It can be time-consuming and stressful, but by staying calm and following these simple steps, you can handle the situation efficiently and get back to enjoying your trip.