While I’ve been fortunate to not ever have dealt with bedbugs in my travels, I do have a story about other bugs during vacation to share . . .

Two years ago, my husband, two kids and I traveled to France to explore the excitement of Paris, the beauty of the French Alps, and the gorgeous beaches of Nice. A dream trip turned into a nightmare when we encountered bugs. You know those beautiful vine-covered chateaus you see pictures of floating around social media? How fun to stay in one of those gorgeous places in the French mountainside, right!? What I did not realize is that foliage attracts bugs and spiders, and if you’re there in the summer and don’t have air conditioning, you will need to open windows to cool down the room. Of course, these chateaus don’t come with screens on windows, which means all the creepy crawlies now have access to your bed, bathroom, luggage, etc. After an event the first night involving me screaming bloody murder, you can guess I (and my family) did not sleep well the rest of the night or the second night we were there.

While my story is not about bedbugs, it felt traumatic (particularly in the moment) and we want to help you protect yourself from a similar experience. (Thankfully my family can all now look back and laugh about this, but I’m not sure you’ll be laughing about bedbugs.)

What are Bedbugs?

Bedbugs are tiny, elusive, and notoriously hardy critters, known for hitching rides with unsuspecting travelers. For anyone embarking on a journey, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a long vacation, avoiding these uninvited guests is crucial. In this blog post, we’ve curated essential tips on spotting, repelling, and ensuring you don’t bring bedbugs home with you.

Spotting Bedbugs:

1. Physical Appearance: Bedbugs are small, flat, and reddish-brown insects about the size of an apple seed.
2. Check Your Accommodations: Upon arrival, inspect your unit. Use your phone’s flashlight to check around the bed, especially the mattress, headboard, and nearby furniture for signs of bedbugs such as tiny black dots, blood stains, or the bugs themselves. Timeshare suites often have fold-out sofas. Check these carefully and they can present ideal hiding places for bedbugs. (Of course you’ll want to notify the front desk right away if you spot some!)
3. Skin Reactions: If you notice red, itchy spots on your skin in the morning, it could be a sign of bedbug bites.

Repelling Bedbugs:

• Use Protective Covers: Use bedbug-proof mattress and pillow encasements to create a physical barrier between you and potential bedbugs.
• Be Scents-ible: Some scents like lavender and tea tree oil are known to repel bedbugs. Spritz a little on your luggage and around your sleeping area. (I highly recommend you create your own spray with witch hazel and essential oils!)
• Hot Water Wash: Bedbugs despise heat. Washing your clothes in hot water and drying them on the highest setting can help kill any stowaway bugs.

Ensuring They Don’t Hitch a Ride Home:

• Keep Luggage Off the Floor: Store your luggage on a rack or a hard surface to reduce the chances of bedbugs climbing in.
• Vacuum Your Bags: Before leaving, vacuum your luggage thoroughly to catch any critters that may have crawled inside.
• Post-Trip Precautions: Once home, wash all your clothes (even those unworn) in hot water, and give your luggage another good vacuum.

At KOALA, we believe in making every journey a pleasant experience. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that the only memories you bring back from your vacation are the delightful ones, not itchy souvenirs from uninvited bedbugs. Safe travels!