Let's take a quick poll.
What's the worst that could happen to you when traveling? Losing your luggage at the airport? Getting sick and ending up in a strange emergency room being treated by a doctor you've never laid eyes on before? Getting mugged by not so friendly locals? Breaking a leg because you slipped by the pool at the resort and ended up in a strange emergency room being treated by a doctor you never laid eyes on before? Or being bitten by nasty bed bugs? Sure these are all things you'd have on your "least want to ever happen to you" list.
Especially when on vacation.
But what are the odds of you getting sick or falling? Unless you're a super klutz, not all that great.
And sure the dim bulbs working for the airlines could send your luggage on to Houston TX while you're in Orlando.
That happens.
But that's what carry-ons are for.
Yet the last one, being bitten by bedbugs, is becoming a more common occurrence that's all the more likely should you happen to visit a highly infested part of the country like say NYC? Still what's the worst thing bed bugs can do to you? Oh, right.
Those itchy bed bug bites are nothing compared to the damage they will eventually inflict to your psyche or wallet should they hitch a ride in your luggage back home.
You see these little pests are now all over the country.
As much as we would like to believe that they have long been eradicated that's simply no longer the case.
Sad to say, they are back.
In most cases more resistant to pesticides than ever.
And they have no plans of leaving us anytime soon.
So the least we could do is prevent them from invading our homes.
However, these blood suckers can easily be transported from one bed to another.
Plus they tend to thrive just about anywhere.
It's not unusual to find them in hospitals, movie theaters, public transportation, changing rooms, dorms, libraries, and hotels.
So getting rid of them is one tough challenge.
One major cause of the resurgence of bedbugs is travel.
Since they can effortlessly hitch a ride in your luggage, there is a pretty good chance that you could be bringing them along as you are winging your way home.
But hey you can't just cancel all your trips for the year just because you're afraid of these tiny bugs right? Besides, it would be unfair to your kids who are expecting a fabulous Disney cruise this summer.
Therefore, you have to stay vigilant especially when you're traveling to ensure that "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas," if you know what I mean.
And part of being vigilant is raising the awareness to bed bugs.
First, let's dispel this most common bed bug myth related to travel.
Myth: Bed bugs are only found in dirty, cheap motels and not in luxurious hotels.
Fact: These biters really don't care whether you're staying in a cheap accommodation or in a plush hotel.
Because as long as there are humans to feast on, they will always be there waiting to finally get a good grip on you.
Warning: Even 4 or 5 star hotels have reported bed bug infestation cases so definitely money doesn't buy you immunity.
Next stop is to follow these steps to make sure your trip is as bed bug free as it can be.
Before making any hotel reservations: Research.
Be sure to do your research first before you make any booking.
Visit bedbug registry to check whether the hotel you're looking into has any incidences of bed bug activity.
The bedbug registry is a public online database that lists thousands of bedbug reports throughout the United States and Canada.
There are also other online hotel reviews you can check out such as the TripAdvisor and IgoUgo.
Phone the hotel.
Even if the hotel you're planning to book with doesn't have reported bed bug cases, still you can't be so sure.
Better call ahead.
Ask about problems they've had.
Ideally, if unlikely, you want to hear they are using mattress encasements.
Packing for the trip: Pick the right luggage.
Choosing your bags is crucial because the kind of luggage you bring may or may not invite bed bugs in.
Use luggage made of hard-shell covers since bedbugs tend to cling more easily onto fabrics.
Also make sure the bag doesn't have too many seams and folds where these critters can easily hide.
Pack your clothes and other stuff right.
Better if you pack all clothing and gadgets in individual air-tight plastic bags before putting them in the luggage.
And don't forget to bring a small flashlight because you will soon need this once you get to the hotel.
When you've arrived: After you've arrived you're going to want to thoroughly inspect the room for any signs of bedbugs.
When you get back home: Once you've arrived safely home make sure no castaways have joined you.
Immediately wash or have dry cleaned all the clothes you took with you.
And give your luggage one last once-over to insure you're not putting it away laden with bugs.
Traveling should be a carefree fun activity.
Full of memories of fun times had by one and all.
It shouldn't be a traumatic experience that would keep haunting you even after you get home.
Which is just bed bugs normally do.
You could say they are the gift that keeps on giving.
So make sure you've done everything you can to keep bed bugs at bay so you get the most out of your 3-day getaway.