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If youre traveling this summer, you might be worried about bed bugs crawling into your luggage and hitching a ride home with you. With all those creepy Paris infestation headlines circulating online last year and, more recently, reports of sightings in several Las Vegas strip hotels, its hard not to freak out.

Thankfully, these critters dont transmit diseases to humans, Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, PhD, an entomologist and senior associate of the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program at Cornell University, tells SELF. But still, bed bugs are considered public health pests for good reason: They can bite on exposed skin at nightthe face, neck, arms, legs, hands, feet, Dr. Gangloff-Kaufmann explains.

In rare cases, their bites can cause severe allergic reactions (like life-threatening anaphylaxis), and scratching them can sometimes lead to secondary skin infections such as impetigo and ecthyma. Not to mention, these pests multiply quickly and can easily take over your home, which may do a number on your mental health. So, its a good idea to protect yourself, especially if youre staying in a hotel or vacation rental.

Thats because, as the name implies, bed bugs are usually found in, yep, beds. (They feed on human blood, so where better to lurk than where we sleep and lie still for hours?) As they reproduce, however, they can spread to other nearby areas, like side tables or under lamps, as well as rugs and curtains, Dr. Gangloff-Kaufmann explains.

Before you completely spiral and cancel your trip, though, there are a few steps you can take to keep your vacation as pest-free as possible. Below, Dr. Gangloff-Kaufmann shares her top three tips for avoiding bed bugs when traveling.

Whatever you do, avoid putting your suitcase on the bed, where those little creepy crawlers tend to hide. Bed bugs thrive in crevices close to humans, Dr. Gangloff-Kaufmann saysmeaning they can also live in the nooks and crannies of places like couches, armchairs, rugs, and carpeted floors.

Instead, prop your belongings above the ground, ideally on a luggage rack (you can usually find one in the closet or entryway of a hotel room): Bed bugs can technically climb, but they wouldntnot unless a person is sitting on [the rack]since these pests are motivated by a hosts scent and warmth, she says.

If your accommodation doesnt have a luggage rack, you can also place your suitcase on a hard, tiled surface (like the bathroom floor) or, as recommended by the American Lodging and Hotel Association, in the car until youve done a thorough inspection (see below). Another option: Cover your luggage with a plastic trash bag.

To thoroughly scan your room for bed bugs, Dr. Gangloff-Kaufmann says to start by stripping the sheets, blankets, and pillows from the bed. (Yes, its kind of inconvenient, but its worth the hassle to ensure your safety.) Then, lift the mattress and use your phones flashlight to check for signs of these unwelcome guests (read on for the biggest red flags).

Original post:
Im an Entomologist. Heres How I Avoid Bed Bugs When I Travel - Self

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) The summer of adventure is here! According to TSA, the summer of 2024 is expected to be the busiest summer of travel ever.

The expected record travel comes after TSA saw record-breaking numbers during Memorial Day Weekend including the single-day record of 2.95 million people scanned through TSA on May 24th. Buffalo Niagara Airport was one of the many airports that saw an influx of travelers that weekend.

"We are already seeing some of our numbers that are up from 2023," NFTA Public Information Officer Kelly Khatib said. "For Memorial Day weekend, we actually saw about a 15% increase from last year so were just expecting those numbers to grow and grow."

With the busy travel expected, TSA is urging travelers to follow the recommended airport arrival times two hours for international travel and an hour and a half for domestic. Khatib offered an important tip as you head to the airport.

"When youre packing, make sure that you start with an empty bag," Khatib said. "People, especially from Western New York, we got a lot of hunters here. Sometimes, you leave ammunition, you leave guns, we do not want that to come through our airport."

Starting with an empty bag is the best way to ensure that you avoid bringing a prohibited item on the plane. It's also the best way to be sure you don't come back home with unwanted guests bed bugs.

"It's extremely easy [to get into your suitcase]", President of Buffalo Exterminators Robert Mettal said.

7 News joined Mettal and his co-worker at a bed bug assignment at a home in Buffalo. We talked to him about traveling and how bed bugs could affect a trip. He gave tips about what people should do when they first arrive at their hotels/lodging areas.

"They should pull off the sheets and the covers and look at the seams of the mattress," Mettal said. "If youre strong enough flip the box spring as well. Usually, around there, youll look for little dots, the excretion of the bed bug or they can possibly catch a bed bug which looks like a little apple seed."

When we went inside, we spoke to Mettal's coworker, manager Brandon Shotwell who offered tips about what people should do when they get home from vacation.

"First thing they should do is take a contractor bag, empty their clothes into it with the suitcase, tie it up. Seal it with duct tape thats the best way to do it," Shotwell said. "Take it immediately to a washer and dryer."

If you do come across them when you get home, Shotwell urges you to act immediately.

"Immediately same thing. Bag, washer and dryer, then call an exterminator for an inspection," Shotwell said.

You can learn about more ways to protect your family from bed bugs during your travels here.

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'The size of an apple seed': How to protect your family from bed bugs during summer travel - WKBW 7 News Buffalo