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You've spent months planning your perfect vacation. A five-star hotel in a tropical paradise. Your vacation will have everything dreams are made of. And, just maybe, a little bit more. If travelers knew that there is a 90 percent chance that popular hotel chains are prone to bed bugs, even presidential suites in five-star hotels, there might be far fewer bodies lining the beaches. Your favorite hotel may have been host to a bed bug infestation, while patrons slept completely unaware. How would you know if your hotel had bed bugs? What would you do about it? You should have the answers before you take your next trip. Knowing the signs and symptoms of bed bug infestation is your best way to keep these pests from following you home. Itchy This is a sign that you'll feel before you can see it. The itching sensation caused by bed bug bites is prevalent even before the rash is visible. Bed bug bites are usually itchier than mosquito bites. When a mosquito bites, you can feel the sting of the bite and the sucking of blood, but it's quite different with bed bugs bites. First of all, bed bugs only feed while their victims are fast asleep. There are also anesthetics in bed bug's saliva to dull the pain, and anticoagulants to prevent blood from clotting. Bed bugs can bite you without detection, and leisurely feed until they can take no more. After the initial piercing of the skin, a rash will occur at the site of the bed bug bite. This rash usually appears about an hour after the skin is pierces, although some people will not develop a rash until several days after being bitten. It all depends on the individual's reaction to the chemicals secreted by the insects. Could you determine whether your rash is caused by bed bugs? This type of rash begins with one small, red bump that appears more swollen than a mosquito bite. The rash initially consists of a single inflamed spot, but days later, a full-blown bed bug rash can develop. This means, of course, that the first bug has been back for another feast, and he's brought along all of his friends. People who move around a lot in their sleep may notice a rash of "in-line" bite marks. This formation takes place when the bed bugs quickly feed and return to their hiding places when the host begins moving. If you have a rash that you suspect may be the result of bed bugs, observe it for several days. Bed bug rashes remain itchy, even days after the rash first appears. The rash itself will not heal as fast as a mosquito bite mark, and may stay swollen for weeks. Oooh, that Smell Sometimes, the presence of bed bugs can be detected by a particular odor in the room. Hotel rooms with heavy bed bug infestations have an offensive, sweetish, musty odor. This scent is released by the bed bugs through their urine and feces. Conduct a "sniff test" in your room, paying close attention to the headboard, upholstered furniture, wood chairs and under the mattress. If you detect a strange odor that you think may indicate a presence of bed bugs, keep traveling. In hotels with light or minimal infestation, the bed bug odor is not so easily detectable. Protect Your Home from Invasion * On the night before you leave for home, take every item out of your suitcase. Bed bugs are very adept at hitchhiking. They can survive for months without food, and can very easily start an infestation in your home if they travel home in your luggage. * Bed bugs are partial to things made of paper, cloth and wood. These are porous materials in which they can easily hide and create a habitat. Carefully inspect any and all items made of these materials. * Spray a water-based insect killer around your suitcase. * Clothes should be shaken vigorously to remove any bed bugs. * Wipe your bathtub dry, and put your clothing and travel items inside the tub. Bed bugs won't stay on ceramic or marble surfaces that offer no comfort and are prone to getting wet. * Before you return home, wash all of your laundry. This can all seem like a lot of work, but it's nothing compared the trouble you'll face if you need to exterminate your home. Once your bedroom has been infested with bed bugs, the insects will quickly spread to neighboring rooms. Getting rid of bed bugs is a very difficult job, and you may be forced to throw away your bed and sofa to completely rid your home of bed bugs. Taking a dream vacation is even more fun when you travel with a guest. But if you see signs of Itchy and Stinky in your hotel room, send them packing right away. You'll be much better off traveling solo.
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About the Article Author
Emanuel Elley is an author for several popular Internet sites, on family health and family life topics.
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