Bed Bugs on Holiday? How to Avoid Bringing Them Home

Monday 20/07/2026

After a week of sunshine, great food and long days at the beach, the last thing anyone wants is to arrive home with unwanted holiday souvenirs: bed bugs.

Unfortunately, bed bugs are expert hitchhikers, and the busy holiday season gives them plenty of opportunities to spread. They travel in luggage, clothing, and personal belongings, turning a great holiday into a stressful problem. Once established, bed bugs are difficult to eliminate and require professional treatments that can be costly.

The good news is that a few simple precautions can significantly reduce the risk of bringing them home.

1. Check Your Room When You Arrive

Before unpacking, take a few minutes to check your accommodation. Look out for:

• Mattress seams and edges


• The headboard, especially around fixings and joints


• Behind bedside tables and around skirting boards


• Small black spots (bed bug droppings)


• Shed skins


• Live bed bugs

It’s a common misconception that bed bugs are only found in dirty or poorly maintained accommodation. In reality, they can be found in accommodation of every standard, from budget rooms to luxury resorts.

2. Protect Your Belongings During Your Stay

Reducing contact between your belongings and potential hiding places makes a big difference. Some simple precautions include:

• Use the luggage rack rather than placing suitcases on the bed or floor


• Keep clothing inside zipped luggage


• Avoid unpacking into drawers


• Store shoes and bags off the floor

3. Check Before You Leave

Before packing, inspect your belongings.
Remember to:

• Check inside suitcase seams, pockets and zips


• Shake out clothing


• Inspect shoes and toiletry bags


• Look over any items left on the floor during your stay

4. What to Do When You Get Home

Even if all seems clear, take a few precautionary steps. When you arrive home:

• Unpack in an area where your luggage can be inspected easily


• Wash and tumble-dry clothing at a high temperature, as heat helps kill bed bugs and their eggs


• Vacuum your suitcase thoroughly, paying particular attention to seams and corners
  

Know the Signs of Bed Bugs

Even with the best precautions, bed bugs can still make their way home with you.
Early signs include:

• Itchy bites, often appearing in lines or clusters


• Small blood spots on bedding


• Tiny black droppings around the bed


• Live bed bugs hiding around mattresses, bed frames or nearby furniture


• Shed skins

Act Quickly

Bed bugs reproduce quickly, and a small problem can quickly become widespread. Early intervention is usually simpler and less expensive than dealing with a well-established infestation.

Although DIY treatments may seem like a quick fix, they often fail to eliminate hidden insects and eggs, allowing the infestation to continue.

If you suspect bed bugs, don't ignore the signs. Bed bug detection trays are a simple way to spot activity early, before a small problem turns into a larger infestation.

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