Could Your Airbnb and Vacation Home Rentals be Putting You at Risk for Getting Bed Bugs?
With popular vacation rental sites like VRBO and Airbnb offering up whole houses, apartments, or even a room in somebody else’s home, it’s often overlooked that when making such purchases, there’s always the chance of leaving with bed bugs.
VACATION RENTALS BED BUG CONTRACTION RATES, SIMILAR TO HOTELS
Similar to hotel stays, it is nearly impossible to rule out that those who have previously stayed in the home, apartment, or room you are renting, have carried or brought bed bugs with them for their stay. Additionally, similarly to hotels, there’s also no guarantee that the owners of the properties listed on popular rental sites are inspecting for such outbreaks, that they’re changing the bedding following each stay, or even cleaning it after each stay.
DIFFICULT TO TRACK VACATION RENTAL BED BUG STATISTICS
Although difficult to track each of the properties found on popular rental sites such as Airbnb (online marketplace which offers lodging, home stays and tourism experiences) and VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner), which allow customers short term rentals of vacation homes, cabins, apartments, condos and studios, or even single rooms, it’s always important for those renting to take the same precautions they should take when checking into a hotel.
CLEANLINESS A FREQUENT MISCONCEPTION WITH AIRBNB ETC.
A frequent misconception about bed bugs is that many believe that an outbreak occurs due to lack of cleanliness or poor hygiene, which tends to not be the case. In a feature by HuffPost, there are quite a bit of health risks attached to staying over somebody else’s home or apartment. One of the six health risks attached to staying in someone else’s home, addressed by HuffPost includes bed bugs. Did you know that one in five Americans has had a bed bug infestation or knows of somebody who has, this according to the National Pest Management Association.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF WHEN YOU STAY IN A VACATION RENTAL OR AIRBNB...
One of the measures you can take when renting a property or staying in somebody else’s home would be the same as checking into your hotel (yes, even your favorite, fancy 5-star hotel!). Examine your room, bed, and furniture upon arrival, as a self inspection can go a long way. One can do so by pulling back the linens and bedding and examining the creases and crevices of the mattress for small black dots, blood stains, or the bed bugs themselves (which tend to be about the size of an apple seed). Always keep your baggage off the ground and never leave it on your bed during the duration of your stay.
Of course the best insurance you can get against getting bed bugs when you travel is Premo Guard Bed Bug Spray. Our new 3 ounce bottle is made for travel. It's TSA compliant. Just spray your bed, pillows, and your luggage when you arrive, and sleep worry free. Right before you leave, spray your luggage one more time. You can even spray your clothes! Learn more here.
ADDITIONAL READING:
Bed Bug Free Holiday Travel Tips (with video)
Bed Bugs: Everything You Need to Know in 2020
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