The disgusting reason you should never use the luggage rack in your hotel room
EXPERTS have warned travellers to leave their luggage racks in the bathroom to avoid a disgusting surprise.
Experts say that flinging your luggage on your hotel bed could invite bed bugs to crawl in and live amongst your clothes.
These tiny insects are hard to spot typically live on beds, sofas and clothing and feast on human blood to survive.
They aren't stationary animals and will easily jump from the bed to your suitcase in search of new surroundings.
Britney Campbell has a Ph.D. in entomology (the study of insects and their relationship to humans, environment and other organisms).
She says: "Travelers should avoid placing their luggage on upholstered surfaces and the bed when they arrive at their destination - since bed bugs are typically found on mattresses, box springs, and in the crevices of furniture and inside upholstery."
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Campbell claims that the safest place to put your luggage is the bathroom because they're less likely to infest it.
Campbell suggests holiday goers and hotel stayers thoroughly check the room and the bed for bugs as they are very difficult to get rid of.
She says: "Regardless of where you lay your head at night, bringing back bed bugs is a serious issue, as these elusive pests can quickly make themselves at home and are difficult to get rid of."
So, according to Campbell remember to leave your suitcase in the bath while you inspect the room for bed bugs - or you can leave it in the bathroom for the duration of your stay.
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Campbell also doesn't advise relying on luggage racks to protect your clothes from bed bugs.
She adds: "Avoid using racks with hollow legs, since bed bugs can hide within the legs."
Also saying: "For added protection, you can place your suitcases in plastic trash bags during the duration of the trip.
"Tie the plastic bag when luggage is not in use to prevent bed bug entry."
A survey done by the NPMA showed that although 91 per cent of bed bug cases were home infestations - 68 per cent of those treated for bed bugs had stayed in hotels near or around the time they contracted them,
"Essentially, anywhere people live or stay can potentially become infested with bed bugs," says Campbell.
Recently Paris declared was on bed bugs as residents shared posts on social media showing the levels of infestation in the French capital.
It is believed those bed bugs were spread to London as the creatures can cling to clothes and get transported around.
Many Londoners posted sightings of the bugs on tubes and their homes sparking fear in the city.
Campbell says: "Bed bugs are extremely skilled hitchhikers due to their ability to survive in temporary habitats, such as personal luggage or underneath the seats in cars, buses and trains."
Checking for bed bugs when you get to a hotel is a necessity and there are ways to tell right away, according to Campbell.
First, pull back the bed sheets and take a good look at the mattress and the corners of the bed.
You want to look for ink-like stains or bed bug skins that have been shed.
Then check the entire room from the headboards to the dresser and the sofa cushions.
If you find any bugs or have suspicions then notify the hotel manager and request a new room - and check that room all over again.
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Campbell says: "Bed bugs can move and spread via housekeeping carts and even through wall sockets, so ensure the new room is not next to or above/below the suspected infestation."
How to get rid of bed bugs
Worried about bed bugs? Don't worry, we're here to help
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advises contacting your local council or a pest control firm that's a member of the British Pest Control Association or National Pest Technicians Association to deal with an infestation.
But if you suspect you’ve been infected, the first thing you need to do is strip your bed and wash the sheets and blankets in 60C water, before tumble-drying for at least 30 minutes - or bin them all together.
You can also try a steamer on mattresses, couches, and other places where bedbugs hide.
You can read more on how to get rid of bedbugs here, but if you're worried about the critters, there are also some products that can help remove the pests:
- Zero In Bed Bug & Dust Mite Killer, £6.99 -
- Rentokil RKLPS136 Insectrol Insect Killer, £6.89 -
- NOPE Bed Bug Killer Spray Treatment, £12.99 -
- Persil 3 in-1 Laundry Washing Capsules, £9.50 -
- Karcher Steam Cleaner, £159 -
- Lakeland Mattress Vacuum, £49.99 -
