Don't Let Bed Bugs Ruin Your Vacation

Jun 10, 2018

Bed bugs infographic
Reading the words “bed bug” in a sentence is enough to make most people's skin crawl! Bed bugs aren't a pleasant topic to discuss, but if you plan on staying at a hotel, hostel, or motel this summer, learning about bed bugs is a “must!”

June 4-10 was Bed Bug Awareness Week, but it was also California Invasive Species Action Week, so here at UC IPM, we were busy posting every day about invasive pests. Bed bugs aren't considered an invasive pest, although bed bug infestations have been on the rise in California in the past decade.

Protecting yourself and your family from bed bugs takes a little know-how. Before you head to your summer destination, find out about more about them. Read the Pest Notes: Bed Bugs, then watch the following video with these important tips:

  • How to identify bed bugs
  • Key places bed bugs like to hide
  • How and where to inspect for them (hint: not just the bed!)
  • Precautions to take during your stay to prevent bringing them back home with you
  • What to do if you discover bed bugs in your accommodation


By Anne Schellman
Author - Master Gardener Coordinator