How do you Check for Bed Bugs at Your Vacation Rental or Hotel

Bed bugs in hotel in TN | Leos Pest Control

Are you counting down the days until you leave for your next vacation? Amidst the excitement of visiting a new area and experiencing new cultures, many people often overlook one major concern— a bed bug infestation in your hotel or Airbnb. Bed bugs are like tiny hitchhikers that will sneakily hitch a ride back to your home on your clothes or luggage. Bringing home bed bugs can be an unpleasant experience and should be handled by a professional extermination company like Leo's Pest Control. This guide will discuss signs of bed bugs in your hotel and how to check for bed bugs in your Airbnb or hotel, preventing these unpleasant souvenirs from coming home with you.

Bed Bugs While Traveling

Bed bugs are known to be extremely sneaky, hiding in tiny spaces and surviving for long periods of time without food. This allows them to often go unnoticed in your luggage, clothes, or personal items, hitching a ride back to your home. Whether you are staging in a hotel, Airbnb, or at the home of a loved one, bringing home bed bugs can be a real concern.

After they have found a comfortable hiding spot in your belongings, bed bugs will go unnoticed until they begin to reproduce and spread once you have returned home. A few bed bugs can rapidly become a large infestation, leading to itchy bites, a disruption in your sleep, and increased stress as you fight these resilient pests.

How to Check for Bed Bugs 

It is important to take precautions to prevent bed bugs while traveling. Understanding and checking for signs of bed bugs in a hotel or rental is extremely important in stopping the spread of bed bugs. When you check in to your accommodations, follow these few steps first to ensure your home for the night is bed bug-free: 

  • Examine Bedding: Before you plop down on the bed, check the blankets, mattress seams, and box springs for signs of bed bugs. If you see reddish-brown bugs, tiny white eggs, skin casings, and small black stains (fecal matter), there is a good chance the room is infested with bed bugs.
  • Check upholstery: If there is a bed bug infestation, you can often find signs of bed bugs hiding in small cracks or crevices of furniture, headboards, and nightstands. 
  • Protect your belongings: Use the elevated luggage racks to keep your luggage off the ground and bed. When you return home, thoroughly inspect your belongings outside and look for signs of bed bugs.
  • Securely store clothes: Keeping clothes and personal items in plastic bags will prevent bedbugs from infesting your items and coming home with you.
  • Use a flashlight: A flashlight will help you inspect the dark corners of your hotel or rental for signs of bed bug activity.

How to Stop Bed Bugs from Hitching a Ride 

No one wants their travel memories tarnished with the nightmare of bringing home bed bugs. By following these few steps, you can prevent bed bugs from coming home with you:

  • Store your items and clothing in plastic bags or packing cubes to block bed bugs from infesting your belongings.
  • Swap your soft fabric luggage for a hard-shell suitcase. Hard-shell suitcases have fewer areas for bed bugs to hide in and are easier to keep clean.
  • Make sure to wash all clothing in hot water, even pieces you did not wear, in hot water. The hot water will kill any bed bugs and their eggs.
  • Once you return, vacuum and clean your luggage and inspect it for signs of bed bugs before you bring it inside your home. 

Prevent Bed Bugs with Leo's Pest Control

Sometimes, even if you have vigilantly checked your Airbnb or hotel for bed bugs, these elusive pests can still make it home with you. If you have a bed bug infestation, it is essential to seek the help of a professional pest control company immediately before a small infestation becomes a nightmare.  At Leo's Pest Control, our technicians have the knowledge and expertise to effectively eliminate bed bug infestations and keep them away for good.

Contact Leo's Pest Control today so you can enjoy your travels worry-free. 

Are Bed Bug Infestations Common in 2021?

Bed bug infestations in Bristol TN - Leo's Pest Control

If you’ve had a bed bug problem before, you were likely left wondering where they came from in the first place. Unfortunately, bed bug problems have been on the rise for homeowners and business owners alike for a couple of decades now—not just here in Tennessee but nationwide. Believe it or not, there was a span of nearly 60 years when bed bugs weren’t a problem for homeowners whatsoever. Nowadays, bed bug infestations are on the rise not only in homes and apartments but also in daycare centers, schools, hotels, and just about any other place where people live and work. In fact, bed bugs account for a good percentage of the calls that pest control companies receive. So what’s to blame for the resurgence of these pests? The experts at Leo’s Pest Control are here to share their insights.

The History of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs have been a problem for humans for a very long time. In the past, before modern technology and science got involved, bed bugs were just something people had to live with. But when pesticides such as DDT and Chlordane came along around the time of WW2, bed bugs and just about any other bug or spider finally met their match. These, and other similar pesticides, were extremely toxic and highly effective in controlling pests.

For a few decades, people got a break from all those biting, irritating little creatures but as these chemicals became more widespread, they also became the subject of a lot of research. Turns out that the very thing that made them great for killing bugs made them horrible for people’s health. By the early 70s, enough research had been done to prompt the United States to ban DDT in 1972 and eventually Chlordane in 1988. This was the beginning of a resurgence in pests of all kinds but it also led to safer, healthier pest control methods. Unfortunately, safe pesticides were no match for bed bugs.

The Spread of Bed Bugs

As pesticides became less toxic, and often less effective, travel both across the United States and abroad experienced a boom. Bed bugs like to travel by hitching a ride in pocketbooks, pant cuffs, suitcases, furniture, and just about anything else they could find to get them to their next destination. With travel becoming more common and people frequently sleeping in hotels, motels, and other places, bed bugs found an easy way to spread their numbers and are now found all over the world.

Bed bugs reproduce rapidly, easily move from one location to the next, and are elusive and nocturnal, making the problem of getting rid of them pretty complicated. It takes an experienced exterminator to completely get things under control and often means a range of treatments depending on the size of the infestation and the type of building or residence.

How to Stop Bed Bugs in Bristol TN

The fact of the matter is that bed bug problems are here to stay—for now. However, that doesn’t mean you have to suffer from an infestation. When you team up with a professional bed bug control company such as Leo’s Pest Control, you can rest assured our team will keep you safe from the dangers of bed bugs year-round. To learn more or get started, contact us today!

How To Get Rid of Your Bed Bug Problem

What bed bugs look like in Bristol TN - Leo's Pest Control

Waking up with bed bug bites is something we all fear. It can be very difficult to tell that you have a bed bug problem in your home before they’ve already got to you. At this point, you’re probably wondering, “how did they get here, and how many of them are in my bed?”

The truth is, beyond your bed, they could be living in many other places in your house, too. If you don’t stomp out their entire population, in addition to the eggs they’ve laid, you could be dealing with bed bugs for much longer than you want to. If this sounds like your current situation, read on for Leo’s Pest Control’s top tips on getting rid of bed bugs.

What Are Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation?

There are a few different ways to tell if you have bed bugs. Look for these signs if you’re worried that you have bed bugs in your house:

  • Bites: The most common way that people find out about bed bugs is through their bites. They are small, red bumps that will be aligned in zig-zag patterns along exposed skin.
  • Leftover material: You might find little spots of bed bug excrement, hatched white eggshells, or reddish-brown smears where bed bugs have been.
  • Active bed bugs: Bed bugs are quite small; look out for bed bug activity around your mattress, in furniture, and along your baseboards.

Don’t fret when you do find signs of bed bug activity. There are ways to solve your problem without throwing out everything you own!

How to Quickly Get Rid of Bed Bugs

The most effective way to get rid of bed bugs is to introduce them to high heat. If your bedding is infested, wash and dry your bedding on the highest heat settings possible. Also, be sure to scrub and vacuum any other pieces of furniture that you suspect to be hosting bed bugs.

If you think that these steps haven’t completely dealt with the infestation, you can purchase plastic furniture and mattress protectors to eliminate any remaining bed bugs and ensure that new bed bugs don’t have a place to hide. Lastly, inspect your home for cracks or gaps in molding, baseboards, power outlets, and door jambs.

Pest Control for Bed Bugs in Bristol TN

Some bed bug infestations reach a point where it is impossible to deal with on your own. When you hire a professional pest control company, your technician can conduct specialized heat treatments that create insufferable conditions for bed bugs without ruining any of your belongings. At Leo’s Pest Control, we train our bed bug exterminators with over 50 years of accumulated experience removing bed bugs from homes as safely and efficiently as possible. Reach out today for a free quote or more information on our services!

I Think I Have Bed Bugs! How Did This Happen?

A bed bug found in Bristol TN - Leo's Pest Control

One of the biggest issues with bed bugs is that they are difficult to detect. You could have a full-blown infestation in your mattress and not even know it until it’s too late! They might have found a way into your home on clothes, luggage, bags, or furniture, and will be happy to make a home in your bed, couch, or carpet.

So if you think you have bed bugs, what are you supposed to do to get rid of them? And how can you ensure that they don’t come back?

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to spot. Here are some qualities to look for to identify bed bugs:

  • Bed bugs are tiny insects, usually around 5 mm long, but can be as small as 1 mm, making them very elusive.
  • They are round and similar in shape to a beetle, but lack wings. 
  • Their color ranges from a light brown to a reddish-brown, getting darker as they progress towards their developed adult stage.

They might be called bed bugs, but these pests are happy to take refuge in a variety of soft, dense materials. Bed bugs can be found anywhere that people go – when we’re out in public, we may bring with us some undetected bed bugs from our homes, unintentionally passing them off to others.

Signs of Bed Bugs

These evasive pests might not make themselves known all too quickly. This makes it important to be educated on what a bed bug infestation looks like. Here are some places to look for signs that you have bed bugs in your home:

  1. Your skin. If you wake up in the morning with itchy patches on your skin and you see little red welts, these might be bed bug bites. The symptoms of these bites range from minor annoyance to serious allergic reactions.
  2. Your bedsheets. Noticing small, dark smears on your sheets might mean that there are bed bugs present. Look for spots that have a reddish-brown color, similar to dried blood. Bed bugs also shed their exoskeletons as they progress through their life cycle, so noticing groups of small black specks on your sheets could indicate that there are bed bugs lurking.
  3. Any other vulnerable places. Bed bugs are capable of living on your clothes, furniture, carpet, and other places with similar material consistencies. Keep an eye out when purchasing second-hand clothing and furniture.

Some people think that a bed bug infestation is a result of poor hygiene, but this is not the case. Anyone is susceptible, regardless of how well you maintain a clean home and healthy habits.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Getting rid of bed bugs is a difficult task. You can try running your infested materials through a washer and dryer on high heat settings, followed by a thorough combing for bed bugs, eggs, and discarded waste. Ultimately, though, this might not be enough to tackle more serious infestations. If you find that your mattress is overrun with bed bugs, ask your local pest control company for help. Our specialists at Leo’s Pest Control are equipped to handle even the most severe cases of bed bug outbreaks. Contact us today for a free quote!

Afraid of Rodents and Bugs? 2021 May Not Be Your Year

Rodent control services in Bristol Tennessee; Call Leo's Pest Control

Entomologists from Leo’s parent company, Rentokil Provide their Pest Predictions for 2021

READING, Penn. (Jan. 4, 2021) — As if 2020 didn’t present enough challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 could be a banner year for pests around the country.

To help residents prepare for 2021, entomologists from Rentokil used field knowledge and data to provide their predictions for pests in the upcoming year.

1. Rodents, Rodents Everywhere:

With shutdowns across the country, it’s no surprise that rodents are on the rise nationwide. Empty buildings, the scarcity of food and warmer winters have combined to create a rodent apocalypse.

“We’re seeing more rats in urban, suburban and rural settings because of the shutdowns,” said Marc Potzler, Board Certified Entomologist. “Food sources are cut off, and rats are having to travel to scavenge for food. We’ve seen rats out in public during the day, which is highly unusual.”

Warmer winters have also allowed for mice populations to boom in residential areas as it allows for a longer breeding season and there is a lower population loss due to hard freezes.

“Right now is the perfect time to rodent-proof your home,” said Potzler. “Make sure to repair any gaps on the exterior of your home, such as around garage doors, windows or pipes.”

2. Mosquitoes on the Move:

Mosquitoes populations have been increasing over the last few years. Aedes species, which are disease-carrying mosquitoes, are also moving to new areas. These mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and Zika virus, among other diseases.

“There is an increase of mosquitoes across the country, but notably on the West Coast, and they are adapting each year,” said Eric Sebring, Associate Certified Entomologist. “We have seen evidence of behavior adaptation, where mosquitoes lay their eggs strategically to hatch throughout the season.”

Protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes by removing any standing water on your property. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as one teaspoon of water. Also, wear EPA-approved insect repellent while spending time outside.

3. Bed Bugs:

The chatter about bed bugs was quiet in 2020, but that’s not because they have gone away.

“As people begin to travel again, we will start to hear about bed bug infestations,” said Sebring. “Bed bugs can be dormant for several months at a time, so they can emerge when a food source, humans, become available.”

Bed bugs are considered hitchhikers, traveling from place to place on people, luggage, clothing and other personal belongings. Homeowners and businesses such as hotels, colleges, hospitals, senior living facilities, retail stores, and libraries have experienced problems with bed bugs.

If traveling, inspect the bed by pulling back the sheets to examine the mattress. Check your luggage before packing and unpacking, and look for signs of living or dead bugs the size of an apple seed or black fecal smears.

4. More Time Outdoors = More Pests.

From hiking to gardening to dining al fresco, there is no doubt that the pandemic has forced people to spend more time outdoors.

In 2021, we will see the outdoor pest pressures continue:

Ticks: Ticks are responsible for transmitting several diseases, including Lyme disease, to humans and animals. These small insects are found in grassy areas and in the woods, so it is important to inspect yourself and your pets after spending time outdoors. Cover as much skin as possible while outdoors, wear long pants, long sleeves, closed-toed shoes, and tuck pant legs into socks. Light-colored clothing will also help any ticks you pick up stand out.

Ants: “As soon as the weather starts to warm up, we will see an increase in ant populations,” said Tom Dobrinska, Board Certified Entomologist. “Most of the ants we are dealing with are odorous house ants. When spending time outside, make sure to clean up any food, water or sugary substances and ensure that your home is free of any holes or cracks for them to enter.”

Stinging Insects: Stinging insects, such as wasps and yellow jackets, emerge at the first sign of warm weather, and as warm weather seasons are getting longer, stinging insects have more time to create issues. Make sure you check for nests early in the spring as they are smaller and get early nest treatment. Make sure to keep windows and doors shut, and secure outside bins so stinging insects are not attracted to the contents.

5. Termites Aren’t Going Anywhere

Termites are a pesky problem, and unfortunately, are not going anywhere. Termites can cause extensive damage to structures, especially homes. As people are moving out of cities during the pandemic to more suburban areas, education about termite protection is key.

“We received more calls for termites this past year than we have in many years,” said Potzler. “It’s important to raise awareness for homeowners now to have proactive protection to keep from costly repairs in the future.”

6. Pests in the News:

There are a few pests that will continue to steal the limelight in 2021.

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is an invasive pest that has been making its way across the country since it was first introduced from Asia in 2001. Besides its pungent odor, this stink bug has become a nuisance for homeowners as it gathers in large numbers on the sides of houses and buildings and enters through small cracks in the home. “The brown marmorated stink bug is here to stay,” said Dobrinska. “We will continue to see this species emerge in late spring in large numbers.”

The Spotted Lanternfly will continue to wreak havoc across the Northeast and beyond. The invasive pest, first found in Pennsylvania in 2014, is spreading across the Northeast, with New York reporting its first sighting this year. The pest can significantly damage trees and plants.

“The Spotted Lanternfly is becoming a big problem in the Northeast, and it will continue to spread,” said Potzler. “It can be devastating for agriculture and is a nuisance for homeowners.”

The egg masses look like a smear of mud on trees and outside of homes. It’s important to scrape the egg mass off, put it in a bag with rubbing alcohol and throw it away, and then call the state department of agriculture.

The infamous “Murder Hornet,” also known as the Asian giant hornet, grabbed many headlines, causing homeowners to panic trying to decipher the difference between stinging insects in their yards and this aggressive species. The Asian giant hornet is the largest hornet species in the world, growing up to 3 inches in length. Currently, the Asian giant hornet has only been found in the Pacific Northwest.

“We know that there was one colony found and eliminated in Washington State,” said Sebring. “Unfortunately, if there is one, there will be more.”

While your chances of being stung by an Asian giant hornet are fairly low, the sting can be dangerous as the venom volume is higher, causing more pain. The hives are primarily built underground or in hollows in trees. If you suspect it is an Asian giant hornet or any stinging pests, call your pest management provider to assess the situation as soon as you spot activity.