Clever way to stop blood-sucking bed bugs from infesting your luggage on holiday

04 October 2023 , 09:59

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Bed bugs are surging in Paris (Image: Getty Images)

As Paris grapples with a serious bed bug outbreak, many Brits have been left wondering how the infestation might impact their future trips across the Channel - particularly ahead of the Olympics next year.

The pesky mites are renowned for being incredibly difficult to get rid of once you've got an infestation, and can travel across the world with you in suitcases and clothing.

If you find you're itching at the thought of potentially taking home some bed bugs, you aren't alone - and there are some preventative measures which can mean that when you're coming back from your holiday, you can leave the bloodsuckers behind.

One of the main ways bed bugs transport from place to place is through travel. Even the most luxurious of hotel rooms aren't 100% safe from the risk of an outbreak. Just one night in a room infested with the nocturnal bloodsuckers can leave you stuck with an infestation which is incredibly hard to shake

A dermatologist shared his top tops to not taking bed bugs home with you. "Always check the crevices of your hotel mattress as soon as you check in", said dermatologist Dr Shah, also known as Dermdoctor on TikTok.

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It's important to look out for the key signs that you have a bed bug issue, including eggs, blood stains and shell casings. This is a good way to check you won't be dealing with bed bugs before you settle down, and you can even alert the hotel to see if you can change for a bed bug-free room instead.

Dr Shah also suggested storing your suitcase "as far away from your bed as possible" to minimise the travelling distance between the bed bugs and your luggage. "Always keep your dirty laundry in Ziploc bags", he added. You could use luggage liners, to protect clothes from bed bugs, or Ziploc bags if you're worried you have definitely come in contact with them.

Storing dirty laundry in plastic bags is a tried and tested way to keep bed bugs at bay. According to experts from Nomad Paradise : "Bedbugs are attracted to the smell of your dirty laundry. Therefore, bring a plastic laundry bag with you in which to store your dirty laundry. That way, you'll know there are no dirty clothes around the bed that could attract bed bugs."

One flight attendant suggested spraying the outside of your bag for dust mites and bed bugs. Dust mite and bedbug killer sprays can be bought online or from DIY and home stores, and can protect the exterior of your luggage to keep bed bugs at bay.

Have you ever had bed bugs? Let us know in the comments below.

Bryony Gooch