SUIT YOURSELF
Woman reveals the gross reason you should never leave your suitcase on the floor of your hotel room
A travel expert revealed how a lizard snuck into her suitcase
A TRAVEL expert has revealed why you should think twice before leaving your suitcase on the hotel room floor.
LaDell Carter, a lead travel consultant, reported that a lizard snuck into her suitcase while vacating in Jamaica.
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She recommends travellers avoid leaving their luggage on the floor to prevent any unwanted critters from getting in.
LaDell said: "I once left my luggage on the floor for a short period.
"Upon returning home, I discovered that I had inadvertently brought back small lizards that had crawled into my suitcase."
The travel consultant is far from alone in this practice.
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Keli Tolliday, who has visited over 40 countries and lived across 4 continents, refuses to leave her luggage on the floor.
The experienced traveller explained that bed bugs are notorious for hitching unwanted rides back to your home.
Once settled in, bed bugs are extremely costly and difficult to exterminate, she added.
However, they aren't the only reason for Keli refusing to leave her suitcase on the floor.
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"Hotel room floors, despite regular cleaning, can still harbour dirt, bacteria, and other unmentionables — especially hotel rooms with carpet," she said.
By keeping their luggage off the hotel room floor, travellers won't have to worry about pests, dirt and damage to their belongings, according to Keli.
The Sun's Travel Editor Lisa Minot shares her top tips when flying hand luggage only
The travel expert added that the whole experience is enhanced once you know your belongings are safe.
It comes after experts 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."
Campbell claims that the safest place to put your luggage is the bathroom because they're less likely to infest it.
The expert suggests holidaygoers 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.
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."
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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."
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 -
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