When traveling, there is always a chance that you could stay in a hotel that has bedbugs. There are many times when there can be a bedbug infestation in the hotel without you being able to easily identify the infestation. It is important to do your best to protect your belongings from becoming infested with bedbugs or their eggs. Use the following guide for tips and tricks for keeping bedbugs at bay when traveling.

Protect Your Shoes

Bedbugs are deterred by overly powerful scents. When you take off your shoes, place dryer sheets inside of them to keep bedbugs from taking residence inside of them. The dryer sheets will make your shoes smell better at the same time. You may want to place your shoes on top of the dresser to prevent bedbugs from climbing into them.

Store Your Luggage Properly

When you bring luggage into the room, place your suitcases on the windowsill off of the floor. If you leave the suitcase on the floor, the bedbugs will be able to gain easy access to it. Placing the suitcase in direct sunlight will deter the bedbugs from climbing into your bag because they do not like extreme heat.

Protect Your Clothing

If you choose to store your clothing in drawers, be sure to store them inside of plastic sealable bags. The bags will prevent the bedbugs from getting access to your clothing while it is stored in the drawers. Be sure to bring a larger sealable bag with you to the hotel to put your dirty clothes after they have been worn.

Protect Yourself

When you are ready to lie down at night, fill a spray bottle with water and add a few drops of lavender oil to the bottle. Spray your entire bottle with the mixture. The lavender smell is unappealing to bedbugs, but lavender has been shown to help you fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.

If bedbugs somehow hitch a ride back to your home after a vacation, it is important to hire an exterminator as soon as possible to get rid of the pests. Bedbugs are nocturnal so you may not notice them until you are bitten by one unless you are actually looking for them. Check the edges of your mattresses once a week, look behind hanging pictures, and check your drapes at least once a month to ensure that you do not see bugs or their eggs hiding behind them.