Before you go on vacation, choose a basic suitcase, without too many pockets.
“In a suitcase, the fewer pockets and corners, the more ideal it is.“, says Nicolas Roux de Bézieux, co-founder of Badbugs, a platform specializing in supporting individuals and professionals who are victims of pests (bedbugs, rats, cockroaches, hornets, etc.). So avoid large travel backpacks that are very roomy but allow bedbugs to hide in the smallest corners. Similarly, choose a simple suitcase with a plastic shell and a plastic interior. It is also possible to spray repellent before leaving on the road for your vacation, although the effect is not guaranteed. “You can also have your apartment insured for around 30 euros per year, if you travel often” advises Nicolas Roux de Bézieux. Badbugs has created insurance against bedbugs, for two euros per month.
Avoid changing hotels
“When there is roaming, as during the Camino de Santiago, it is problematic. If a traveler is a victim of bedbugs in his first accommodation, he will spread the gift all over the road“, explains Nicolas Roux de Bézieux. No place is more at risk than another. An Airbnb rental is not necessarily more at risk than a hotel. If a traveler reports the presence of bedbugs, they are reimbursed for their stay and the host’s ad is blocked until the owner has proven that they no longer have any.
Thoroughly inspect your vacation spot upon arrival
“We don’t always realize right away that there are bedbugs in our vacation spot. To realize this as soon as possible, before unpacking your suitcases in the room, you must thoroughly inspect the room, the mattresses, the box springs, wherever you can see traces“, explains Nicolas Roux de Bézieux, who recommends focusing on the headboard, a place where we breathe and which attracts bedbugs. It is useful to remove the overprotection of the mattress to check if there are droppings”which look like a fountain pen that has been shaken» are on the mattress. Also look on the box spring and under the box spring. You can also take a self-test similar to a Covid test which detects the presence of bedbugs in less than 5 minutes like Clearbugs, 92% reliable.The advantage of the self-test is that it detects the presence of bedbugs even if there are not many of them.“, explains Nicolas Roux de Bézieux.
Do not put your suitcase on the bed during your stay
Do not put your suitcase on the bed, whether in a hotel or at home. Often, there are trestles available where you can put your luggage. It is also possible to put it in the bathroom. Similarly, do not leave your pajamas lying around in the bed. It is better to hang them on a hanger. Pajamas retain body odor and this odor attracts bedbugs.
The freezer, the best trick to get rid of bedbugs once you get home
Once this check is complete, if spots appear that raise suspicion of bedbugs, do not bring the suitcase home. If this is unavoidable, place the entire suitcase in a garbage bag and put it in the freezer for 3 to 5 days.You need a small suitcase and a large freezer to do this, which is not everyone’s thing. Otherwise, you put all the contents of the suitcase in small bags and then put these bags in the freezer. If the suitcase is a soft bag, it can go in the freezer, otherwise you can run a steam machine over the suitcase if it is a hard one“, explains the co-founder of Badbugs. You can also empty your belongings in the living room and throw everything in the washing machine directly, even items that have not been worn during your stay. No need to worry about cosmetics and electronics, however. “If users have any doubts about the presence or absence of bedbugs, teleconsultation is possible. They can be given a free diagnosis” suggests Nicolas Roux de Bézieux.