Avoiding bed bugs where ever you go

by Tommy Underhill, GreenTech Heat
January 17, 2020

While reading the news this morning, I stumbled across a story on CNN: “Actress sues cruise line for alleged bed bug infestation”. They had me at bed bugs.

Let me be the first to say I’m not one to suggest anyone initiate a lawsuit. The only parties who ever win lawsuits are the lawyers. In my opinion, prevention and a continuation of a normal life far outweigh any settlement achieved from bed bugs.

Humans are the reason bed bugs are as widespread as they are. We pick them up from somewhere. We take them everywhere we go. We deposit them at hotels, restaurants, movie theaters, and friends’s homes.

I can say with certainty, businesses and individuals who find they have bed bugs never meant for the infestation to happen. Realize any reputable and forward-thinking company doesn’t want the expense or hassle of repeatedly dealing with customers who find bed bugs on their premises. It makes good business sense to nip the problem in the bud before any infestation can gain a foothold.

Here are some tips to avoid bringing bed bugs home with you if you ever discover these insects somewhere you go.

Inspect first

At a hotel or on a cruise ship, don’t bring your belongings directly into the room and drop them on a couch, the bed, or the carpeting. Take them straighway into the bathroom and leave them there while you inspect your room.

Look beyond the sheets

Don’t only look at the sheets or bedding, explore the furniture and mattress. Sheets, bedding, and pillows can be easily changed or replaced. Mattresses, beds, chairs, and headboards are much more difficult and expensive to replace. An active infestation will present itself much more clearly on and around these items.

Notify management

In case you do discover bed bugs in your room, take several pictures of the signs, remove your belongings, and head straight to the front desk. Notify management that you found signs of a bed bug infestation and show them the photos. Request a new room that is not adjacent, above, or below, the infested room— preferably one on a different floor on the opposite side of the building. On a cruise ship, your options may be more limited.

Remember desk clerks and hospitality management are people, too. Kindness and respect will get you everything. Be firm in your request to be relocated. If they can’t or won’t help, call your credit card company or booking service (like Travelocity), and vote with your feet: go to a new place. Keep the photo in case you need backup on having charges reversed.

If you discover you have brought bed bugs home with you...

Give us a call at 717-478-HEAT and schedule a pesticide-free heat treatment today. Total Shield Bed Bug Treatments will kill all your bed bugs in a single, one-day treatment. You don’t have to live with bed bugs.

Don’t take our word for it

It’s been 2-1/2 months of that blissful feeling of getting into bed with all of our uninvited guests. I brought the bed bugs home from working in-home care. It is not any one person’s fault — these guys are the hitchhikers from H _ _ _. We sprayed, bombed, powdered and turned the rooms upside down and picked bugs and put them into soapy water (soapy-otherwise they will swim right out). When we called and talked to Bill, we KNEW this was our solution. Of course it makes sense to heat the entire house. We even had a quote from a “large” corporation that said they would “treat” 4 rooms for a price 1/3 higher than Bill’s. If we had gone with Bill right away, we would have saved so much money in bombs, sprays, laundering, and mattress covers — but also time and aggravation. The house also felt so fresh after the treatment. Bill takes the time with you for you to feel comfortable in your decision. We left for the entire day and felt completely comfortable with Bill having the run of the house. Poor Bill, though. We had our home treated on the day of the first winter storm in November. That man spent longer hours at our place due to the extreme winds and cold. What a trooper. We would say that Bill is the type of person that we now call a friend. He is welcome at our home anytime.

Peggy Showalter
5 Stars: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
December 18, 2018