Most people are freaked out by the idea of bed bugs , let alone actually seeing one in person. And, of course, if you spotted one in your hotel room, youd want to book it the other way ASAP. But a new survey published in American Entomologist found that while people are completely grossed out by bed bugs, most actually have no idea what the little insects look like.
For the survey, researchers asked about 2,000 travelers who were visiting hotels for business and leisure a series of questions about bed bugs, including how they felt about the blood-sucking parasites and how often they traveled. The majority of respondents said they thought about bed bugs while staying in hotels, but, heres the kicker: Only 35 percent of business travelers and 28 percent of leisure travelers could pick bed bugs out of an insect lineup that included silhouettes of an ant, termite, louse, and tick. Another 29 percent of business travelers and 42 percent of people who travel for fun didnt even want to guess because they had no clue.
Entomologist Roberto M. Pereira, Ph.D., a research scientist with the University of Florida, tells SELF that he was surprised that so many people dont know what bed bugs look like given all the publicity bed bug infestations have gotten over the past decade. But Paul Curtis, a board-certified entomologist at Terminix, tells SELF that a lot of insects look alike to some degree, which can make it difficult to ID them if youre not a bug expert. Carpet beetles, juvenile roaches, and other insects are commonly misidentified as bed bugs, he says, noting that bed bugs can even look different when theyre engorged after eating and at different stages of development.
Tim Husen, Ph.D., a board-certified entomologist with Orkin specializing in urban entomology, tells SELF that adult bed bugs have small, oval-shaped, reddish-brown bodies. After a meal, they will look swollen and redder in color, he says, adding that theyre about a quarter of an inch in size. Adult bed bugs are about the size of an appleseed, Dr. Husen says, while baby bed bugs (known as nymphs) might be harder to spot. They are about the size of a pinhead and are white or tan until their first blood meal, he explains.
Since bed bugs like to hide in cracks and crevices, Dr. Pereira says you might have an easier time seeing signs that the nasty critters were there vs. actually having a bed bug sighting. Bed bugs will leave black fecal spots (basically dried, digested blood) around the places theyre hiding.
Theyre usually found in close proximity to their food source, i.e., people, Curtis says, which is why theyre typically in beds, furniture, and carpeting. But they can also be lurking behind picture frames or around telephones. Most people dont know that they can thrive in lots of other high-traffic areas, like airplanes, subways, daycare centers, or theaters, too, Curtis says. The truth is, all they need is a place to hidewhich could be the folds of your purse or under a subway seatand people to feed on.
But ultimately, bed bugs are most likely to be around your bed and, if youre in a hotel, theyre likely hanging around the mattress or furniture. Thats why Curtis recommends thoroughly inspecting your hotel room for bed bugs before you unpack. First, put your luggage in the bathroom (its the most unlikely place that bed bugs would be). Then, pull the comforter and sheets back and checking for any signs of bed bugs (again, youre looking for little black dots and the bugs themselves). Lift and check underneath the mattress and box spring and at the top and bottom of the bed, Curtis says. These critters are small but visible to the naked eye, so a careful examination will reveal adult and nymph bed bugs, along with their eggs.
Once youve checked out the bed, take a look over the other furniture in the room. Youre probably fine if you dont see any signs of bed bugs, but Curtis still recommends storing your suitcase on a hard surface or luggage rack instead of a bed, couch, or fabric chair, to lower your odds that youll get hitchhiker bed bugs.
While its understandable that you may want to stay someplace else, Dr. Husen says you should be fine to stay in the same hotel, provided you get a room thats not adjacent to the one that has bed bugs or across from it. Your hotel should have a plan for dealing with these occurrences including potentially laundering items and inspecting your luggage before moving you to another room, he says. Either you or the hotel (or both) should also check the new room for signs of bed bugs.
If you spot a bed bug in your home or develop bite marksthey're similar to ones from a mosquito or flea , but sometimes appear in straight linesthats a different story. Dr. Husen recommends calling a professional and treating the problem ASAP since the bugs multiply quickly. If you think bed bugs are on your sheets, comforter, or clothes, put them in the dryer on high heat. The heat will help kill all life stages, he explains.
Of course, the best way to avoid a bed bug infestation is prevention, which is why Dr. Husen recommends inspecting your luggage and suitcase for bed bugs after you travel, and storing your suitcase away from your bedroom (like in your attic or garage) just in case.
The odds of you contracting bed bugs while traveling are low, but it does happentake a minute to do these extra precautionary steps, and you should be fine.
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This Is How to Actually Spot a Bed Bug - SELF
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