The Nightmare of Bed Bugs — What You Need to Know and How to Prevent Them

By Melkeya Brown-Williams | Guest Contributor | Shade & Travel

Discovering bed bugs in your home can be unsettling. These tiny blood-sucking pests don’t just cause physical discomfort—they can leave emotional scars that last long after the infestation is gone.

For many, dealing with bed bugs becomes a traumatic experience that feels impossible to forget.

Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs don’t care whether your home is sparkling clean or cluttered.

They’re equal opportunity invaders. Once they find a way in, they are incredibly hard to get rid of—and extermination can cost thousands of dollars.

Many people don’t even realize they’ve been exposed until it is too late.

Some are allergic to bed bug bites and wake up with clusters of itchy red bumps, often in groups of three—a telltale pattern nicknamed “breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”

These bites can appear on various parts of your body and are usually the first visible sign that you’re not alone in your bed.

However, with a little caution and awareness, you can reduce your risk of bringing bed bugs home—especially when traveling. Here are some essential tips to keep these pests at bay:

Smart Travel Tips to Avoid Bed Bugs

• Don’t unpack on the bed.

  • As soon as you enter your hotel room, resist the urge to toss your suitcase on the bed. This is one of the quickest ways bed bugs can hitch a ride back with you.

• Store your luggage wisely.

  • Keep your suitcase in the bathroom or elevated on a luggage rack. Avoid placing it directly on carpeted floors or upholstered furniture.

• Inspect the bed thoroughly.

  • Pull back the sheets and check the seams and edges of the mattress for tiny blood spots or rust-colored stains—common signs of bed bugs. Don’t forget to inspect the headboard too.

• Bring a travel-sized alcohol spray.

  • Lightly mist the mattress seams and corners with 100% rubbing alcohol, which can kill bed bugs on contact.

• Skip the dresser.

  • Don’t place your clothes in hotel drawers or closets unless you are sure the room is bed bug-free. Keep your garments in your suitcase if possible.

• Check couches and chairs.

  • Bed bugs love hiding in soft furniture. Do a quick inspection before you sit or rest anything on them.

• Decontaminate your luggage when you get home.

  • Do not bring your suitcases in your home. If possible, leave your luggage in the garage or outside for a week to ensure no stowaways survive. Spray your suitcase with rubbing alcohol or use a hot blow dryer as soon as you return.

Bed bugs are more than a nuisance—they’re a costly, stressful, and deeply unpleasant

experience. By taking a few extra precautions while traveling, you can significantly reduce the chances of bringing these pests into your home.

Awareness is your first line of defense.

Sleep tight—and don’t let the bed bugs bite.

Written by Melkeya Brown-Williams

Guest Contributor | Shade & Travel