Beware of bed bugs when traveling

Pitt County health officials are advising vacationers to take precautions against bed bugs when they travel this summer.

Bed bugs are making a come back and cases have been reported locally, according to a Pitt County Public Health Department news release.

As we travel, we can be exposed to bed bugs any time we are at a hotel, said Jim Gardner, Pitt Countys vector control manager.

Our luggage can also be exposed when coming into contact with other luggage at airports, bus stations, or even a porters cart.

Bed bugs, or Cimex lectularius, are a worldwide problem, officials said. They dont carry disease, but they feed on blood and can cause itchy bites.

The parasites also can be very expensive to eradicate once in a home, so it is important to pay close attention to prevention and control, Gardner said.

When staying in a hotel, ask personnel there if a room has had a bedbug complaint in the past 30 days, he said.

Inspect the room, he said. Take a magnifying glass, flashlight, and if possible, bring and use a permethrin-based insect repellent to spray on luggage.

Bed bugs hide during the day and are difficult to find, so it is easier to find traces of their presence.

Look for black, dot-like stains on the head board, mattress (especially corners), and box springs. These could be stains left as the bugs excrete the remains of a blood meal. Look for blood marks on the bedding.

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Beware of bed bugs when traveling