- Pest control company Orkin has a free, user-generated database that helps travelers check for bed bug activity at hotels across the U.S. and Canada.
- Travelers are advised to inspect hotel rooms upon arrival and use precautions like plastic bags or luggage liners to prevent bringing bed bugs home.
- After trips, Orkin recommends inspecting luggage, washing clothes on high heat, and isolating bags to avoid unwanted pests.
When most travelers go on vacation, the only things that should be brought home are memories and souvenirs—not pests. It can be unpleasant to think about bed bugs, but when choosing a hotel, a little information can go a long way.
Pest control company Orkin is now helping travelers make more informed decisions. It provides helpful guidance through its Bed Bug Registry, a public database that tracks reported bed bug activity in hotels and other travel accommodations across the U.S. and Canada.
The Bed Bug Registry is a free, user-generated resource where people can view or submit reports of bed bugs at specific properties. It was originally established to help travelers and renters identify places with known issues before they arrive, reducing the chance of staying in an infested room. Although the original registry site is inactive, a related resource, Bed Bug Reports, is the most up-to-date version of the database and lists recent bed bug reports.
Although the registry doesn’t replace official inspections or guarantee that a particular room is free of bed bugs, it adds another layer of data when comparing hotels. Since bed bugs don’t only live in dirty places and can infest even upscale hotels, having crowd-sourced information can be especially helpful.
Before traveling, Orkin recommends researching your destination for any reported bed bug activity and being smart about packing. Using plastic bags or specialized luggage liners can help prevent bed bugs from hitching a ride home with you.
Once you arrive at your hotel, take a few minutes to inspect your room before settling in. Look for common signs of bed bugs on the mattress, box spring, headboard, and furniture, including bloodstains, droppings, or live insects. Keep luggage elevated on a rack instead of placing it on the bed or upholstered furniture. If you notice any signs, notify hotel staff immediately and consider changing accommodations.
Even if you don’t see any signs of bed bugs while traveling, Orkin emphasizes vigilance after your trip. Inspect luggage, wash and dry clothing on high heat, and quarantine suspicious bags until you’re sure they’re bug-free. These extra steps can help ensure you don’t inadvertently bring bed bugs home.
For more information on the registry, visit Orkin’s website.
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