Bedbug chaos sweeps multiple states, with a travel insider revealing the shocking reason why you might bring them home
Hitchhikers got nothing on them.
Bedbug infestations linked to travel are surging in multiple Southern states, and one travel expert is pointing to budget accommodations as a major culprit for why you might unknowingly bring these unwelcome guests home. This is definitely awful news if you’re planning any spring break trips or just general travel.
According to Fox News, recent pest control reports confirm a rise in bedbug cases across the South. Georgia, for instance, has seen a significant increase, with a report from Terminix ranking the state sixth nationwide for bedbug service requests among the 50 most affected US cities. Other states like Florida, Texas, and Tennessee are also reporting growing concerns, all tied back to travel-related infestations. It seems these little critters are becoming quite the frequent fliers.
Lee Abbamonte, a New York-based travel expert, recently shared some insights that might make you think twice about where you book your next stay. He explained that travelers face a higher risk of encountering bedbugs in certain types of accommodations. “Bedbugs often arise in places frequented by younger, more budget-friendly tourists,” Abbamonte said. He specifically mentioned spots like popular spring break destinations for students or youth hostels.
That budget-friendly room can turn out to be more costly in the long run
These locations typically see a ton of guest turnover and often have pretty crowded rooms. This constant flow of people and high occupancy can make it incredibly difficult for staff to maintain the thorough cleaning needed to keep bedbugs at bay. Abbamonte also pointed out that “young people and students generally don’t care about the state of the room.” He added that “They just want to be in the destination as [cheaply] as possible,” which doesn’t help the cleanliness situation.
For those unfamiliar, bedbugs are tiny, flat, reddish-brown insects. They’re incredibly good at hiding in dark cracks and crevices, especially near where people sleep. You’ll commonly find them along mattress seams, tucked behind headboards, inside furniture joints, and near baseboards in hotel rooms or short-term rentals. They’re basically tiny ninjas of the insect world, and they love to hitch a ride.
Unlike mosquitoes or ticks, bedbugs (Cimex lectularius) are not known to spread any infectious diseases through their bites. However, bedbug bites often cause itchy, red welts or rashes usually on exposed skin like arms, neck, or face. Some people show no symptoms and others get mild irritation, while a small number experience severe allergic reactions.
Apart from obvious physical health concerns, bites from these critters and even the stress of an infestation can cause insomnia, anxiety, irritability, and disrupted sleep. Prolonged infestations can lead to significant mental health effects, including heightened stress or emotional distress from knowing bugs are present.
Benjamin Hottel, an entomologist based in Georgia, emphasized just how skilled these pests are at “hitchhiking” on personal belongings. Travelers can inadvertently carry bedbugs onto planes, into hotels, and then, the worst part, straight back into their own homes. This is why being vigilant is super important when you’re traveling.
Hottel recommends a few solid tips to avoid bringing these pests home. First, always inspect your luggage and clothing after any trip. Give everything a good once-over. Second, if you suspect any exposure, immediately place your travel clothes in a dryer on high heat. Running them for about 30 to 45 minutes can effectively kill the insects before they have a chance to spread throughout your home.
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