Unwanted hitchhikers are the most common form of pest migration that lead to home infestations. Following these simple steps can save you a bundle on hiring a pest control company and prevent migrating pests from taking over your home. The more you travel the more likely you are to pick up unwanted pests and bring them into your home. A major hotspot for infestation is the hotel and motel industry. Protecting yourself and your belongings while staying in hotels or motels with save you lots of heartache. Cleanliness and age of the hotel is not always an indicator of pest activity because you can not control who stayed in the room prior to you. Daily cleaning of a room is great to decrease the amount of food the pests will have but will not affect species who can survive with minimal feedings and or who feed off of us.
The most important thing you can do is to do some research before you check in. Make sure that the establishment you choose has a pest control company and is set up on a regular service. A small amount of research on the Internet should give you the answer to this question. Frequency is the key, monthly or bi-monthly services will eliminate the majority of pest problems. Pay close attention to the companies these establishments choose make sure that they are using a reputable pest control company with a long track record.
You can also check your room for evidence of pest control before you settle down and stay the night. Leave your luggage in your car while doing your inspection as to avoid pests climbing in with your belongings searching for harborage and or food. Look under sinks, behind refrigerators, under beds, behind dressers, in dresser drawers, and behind headboards for bait stations, glue boards, and pheromone traps. Small brown spots in corners and cracks is often a sign of baiting for ants and roaches and is easily noticeable. Some common bait stations used are usually the size of a silver dollar and are attached to furniture and in cabinets using adhesives. Pay close attention to the headboard and items surrounding the bed, this is where you will encounter the bedbug. Bed bugs are common in hotels and leave evidence of their travel. Look for small dark brown to black spots where the headboard meets the wall. Small brown to light brown "casts" are left behind when the bedbug dies or molts and are often confused for food debris or dust. If you are unsure find another place to stay as it usually is signs of activity. Pull the bed sheets back and check the mattress, box springs and bed frame to look for further signs of activity. Small blood spots are common as wall as the brown spots (frass) and casts. When checking the mattress and box springs pay close attention to the seems and underside of boxsprings where bottom is stapled on. Bed bugs love to hide in small tight spaces and are often hard to spot. In most cases you will notice their markings before you spot the actual bug. If you see even one bedbug get out a find somewhere else to stay. Bed bugs will travel to adjacent rooms and often spread throughout the building.
Walk around the room with a flashlight ,if available, and pay close attention to baseboards and trim pieces along the bottom of the wall. The smallest crack is often a harborage for pests and often go unnoticed. Check behind picture frames, mirrors, and other wall mounted items close to the bed and kitchen. If these items are unmovable lightly tap on the bottom and sides and look for debris falling. Small food particles, feces and shed skin are often found here. If its not dust its usually a sign of pests. Look close to windows and around air conditioning units as they often provide shelter and a water source for hiding insects. While looking behind the refrigerator check around the motor and in the rear drip pan. Heat generated from the motor and water make this area a hot spot for activity and is a key area for baits and traps.
Once you are satisfied with your inspection and feel comfortable with your stay, check in and bring your luggage up your room. Always leave your items in the suitcase and keep all zippers closed at all times. Any items such as toiletries should be stored on the bathroom counter in zip-lock baggies or sealed Tupperware containers. Place clothes items in lager air-tite bags prior to leaving home for added protection and always check your items before placing them in your car when leaving the hotel.
