Traveling should be exciting, not itchy. But if you’ve ever woken up with strange bites after staying in a hotel or rental, you might’ve had more than a bad night’s sleep — you could be dealing with bed bugs.
These pests are no longer just a problem in rundown motels. Today, bed bugs are showing up in upscale hotels, Airbnb rentals, gyms, airports, movie theaters, and even rideshares. And the worst part? You often won’t realize you’ve brought them home until it’s too late.
Here’s how to avoid bed bugs while traveling — and what you can do to stop them from following you home.
Why Bed Bugs Love Hotels and Airbnbs
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) don’t care if a room is sparkling clean or has luxury sheets. They’re after one thing: warm blood. Places with a high turnover of guests, shared surfaces, and soft furnishings are prime territory for infestation.
That includes:
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Hotel mattresses, box springs, and upholstered chairs
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Airbnb couches, rugs, and decorative pillows
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Gym locker rooms, benches, yoga mats, and towels
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Buses, airplanes, taxis, and rideshare seats
The constant movement of people and luggage means bed bugs have endless opportunities to move from place to place — including your suitcase or clothes.
How to Spot Bed Bugs in Your Room or Rental
Before you unpack, do a quick inspection. Use your phone flashlight to check:
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Mattress seams and box spring edges
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Behind headboards
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Upholstered chairs and cushions
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Around baseboards and outlets
Look for tiny black dots (bed bug droppings), molted skins, or even live bugs. Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed and reddish-brown in color.
Protect Yourself with a TSA-Approved Bed Bug Spray
Bringing your own natural bed bug spray is one of the smartest ways to prevent bringing pests home. Premo Guard’s TSA-approved 3 oz Bed Bug & Mite Spray is travel-sized, non-toxic, and kills bed bugs on contact.
Use it to treat:
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Hotel beds, headboards, and linens
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Airbnb sofas, curtains, and rugs
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Gym bags, lockers, and personal mats
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Rental cars and plane seats
Unlike synthetic insecticides, Premo Guard’s formula uses natural essential oils and enzyme-based ingredients that are family-safe, pet-safe, and eco-friendly — without compromising effectiveness.
What to Do After Traveling
Even if you didn’t see bed bugs during your trip, you could still be at risk. Bed bugs are experts at hiding inside seams, folds, and zippers. That’s why post-travel prevention is just as important.
As soon as you get home:
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Leave your suitcase in the garage or laundry area — not your bedroom.
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Unpack directly into the washing machine.
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Wash and dry all clothing and travel fabrics with hot water and high heat.
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Add Premo Guard Laundry Additive to eliminate bed bugs, lice, mites, and more from your clothes and bedding.
It’s an easy extra step that could save you from a full-blown infestation.
Don’t Let Bed Bugs Ruin Your Trip
You can’t always control how clean a hotel or rental is — but you can control how you respond. With a simple travel routine and a bottle of Premo Guard Bed Bug Spray, you can stay protected wherever you sleep.
Remember: bed bugs don’t just bite — they multiply fast, and they’re hard to get rid of once they’re in your home. So take action before there’s a problem.
Travel smart. Spray smarter. Sleep better.
Bring Premo Guard wherever you go.
