When is this day celebrated? June 10
What is this day? In recent years, the amount of reported bed bug infestations has skyrocketed. As travel has become easier, bed bugs have become a bigger problem than ever before. This day was created to educate the public on how they can prevent bed bugs when traveling. National Bed Bug Prevention day is a day to become familiar with the causes of bed bugs and learn more about these pests.
Facts about bed bugs:
- When most people think of bed bugs, they think of hotels. But the truth is, bed bugs can thrive in single-family homes, apartments, hospitals, college dorm rooms, office buildings, schools, buses, trains, movie theaters, retail stores and just about anywhere that humans are.
- Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs are not just in big cities or third-world countries. They are found in all 50 states.
- Bed bugs can survive temperatures of nearly freezing to 122 degrees.
- Head here to learn even more from Dodson Pest Control’s Entomologist
Who created this day? This day was founded by Dodson Pest Control in 2019 to recognize their long history of providing bed bugs treatment.
How to celebrate:
Educate yourself on bed bug prevention tips. When you travel, follow these steps upon entering your room:
- When you first arrive in your hotel room, don’t immediately unpack. Find the luggage rack provided by the hotel and place your luggage there while you check the room for bed bugs.
- Use your cell phone’s flashlight or any other light source to inspect the blankets and linens of the bed. Focus on the corners of the bed, where bed bugs hide. Look for bugs or dark brown spots. Check all the way down to the mattress.
- Check upholstered furniture for signs of bed bugs. Bed bugs hide in dark places, so be sure to check the seams and folds of furniture.
- Check the curtains in the room. Using your flashlight, check all of the folds and creases of the curtains for bugs or dark brown spots.
- Shine your light behind the headboard, nightstand and dresser.
- Throughout your stay, check your skin. Be mindful of any unexplained bites or welts that seem to appear overnight. Even with a thorough inspection of your hotel room, bed bugs can sometimes still go unnoticed.