Schools are out for summer! This may be daunting news for many who have to keep their little ones occupied for 6 weeks. But it does mean you can finally go on that family holiday you’ve been thinking about all year! However, you don’t want to be bringing back any unwanted souvenirs. When returning home from a holiday, you could potentially bring back several pests in your luggage. Here are some to look out for:
Bed Bugs
These tiny insects are notorious for hitchhiking in luggage as they hide in your clothes. Bedbugs are small, oval-shaped, brown insects that feed on blood. You may not notice them crawling into your suitcase or clothing but, once they get into your home, they can spread quickly.
Cockroaches
These robust pests are attracted to warmth and potential food sources like body oils or sweat, which there is a lot of when we Brits travel to a hot climate. Cockroaches are flat, oval-shaped with long antennae and can survive for months without food. Dirty clothes are especially attractive to cockroaches; they may even lay eggs in the fabric.
Ants
The reason these small but strong insects are attracted to our luggage is due to the presence of food crumbs or sugary residue. Ants have a distinct body shape with a narrow “waist”. If you have any spillages, maybe you’ve enjoyed the sangria a bit too much and managed to get some on your summer dress, this could be a tasty treat for an ant.
What can you do to prevent these pests from coming home with you?
- Inspect your accommodation before unpacking (focusing on the mattress and soft furnishings).
- Keep your luggage off the bed and floor and use the luggage racks provided by the hotel.
- Keep dirty clothes separate and in a plastic bag.
- Don’t leave your suitcase open and consider using plastic bags for your suitcase to prevent bedbugs from getting inside.
- When returning home unpack in a safe area away from your bedroom such as a garage or bathroom where bedbugs are less likely to thrive.
- Wash and tumble dry your clothes, the hotter the better.
If you do bring back some unwanted souvenirs this summer and they become a problem, give us a call today: 020 8668 5477