“Don’t let the bedbugs bite” may be a cute way of wishing your child goodnight, but the real creatures behind this expression are anything but cute. Bedbugs are annoying, itchy, invasive, and hard to exterminate. Acme Pest Control Co in Concord and Charlotte, NC, helps clients deal with bedbugs, rodent removal and other forms of pest control. Of course, the best way to solve this problem is to avoid it from the beginning. Many people first bring bedbugs into their homes from hotels. Here are five tips to keep from getting bedbugs at all.

5 Ways to Avoid Hotel Bedbugs

1. Research

Before you book your stay at a hotel, look up reviews to see if past travelers have experienced bedbugs at your prospective location. No hotel is 100% safe—no matter how good the staff is, even five-star lodgings may experience an infestation. However, doing your research may go a long way toward avoiding any problems.

2. Avoid Contact

Bedbugs can’t infest your luggage if they can’t reach it. When you first enter a hotel room, avoid placing your luggage on the carpet, bed or chairs. Instead, use a luggage rack to keep suitcases elevated, or place them in the middle of the bathroom’s tile floor. Inspect the room carefully before you move the luggage from those locations.

3. Seal Clothing

Consider bringing along sealable plastic bags to keep your dirty and clean clothes separate inside your suitcase. This will help keep pests from crawling into the fabric. It’s not foolproof, and bedbugs may still get into your suitcase even if they can’t access the clothes. But this will help limit the number you bring back.

4. Wash Everything

Immediately after you return from a trip, wash all garments in a hot cycle, then dry them on hot, as well. This will kill any uninvited guests you may have brought home with you. It’s much easier to kill them while they’re still on your clothes than once they’ve spread throughout your house.

5. Call Experts

If you believe your house has been infested with bedbugs despite your best attempts, call an expert immediately. Getting rid of bedbugs on your own is nearly impossible. Also, the sooner you deal with this problem, the less chance the insects will have to spread.

In Concord and Charlotte, NC, Acme Pest Control Co has over 70 years of experience in helping clients get rid of all kinds of creatures. Whether you need help with bedbugs, roach control, or termite treatment, they have the know-how to solve your problems. To get in touch, visit their website or call (704) 786-4166.