Living in a travel hub like Singapore makes it easy for us to fly out and explore the world. But this privilege also comes at a price — we could easily carry bed bugs with us wherever we are.
Bed bugs are notorious hitchhikers that can latch onto our clothes and luggage. They can live in the beds we sleep in at hotels. To make matters worse, they’re so tiny that we might not realise they’re with us until they start biting us.
But we don’t have to let them hang about with us and make our trips more troublesome. Here are a few tips to help you deter or control the pests while globetrotting.
Dangers of Having Bed Bugs While Travelling
First things first: why shouldn’t we tolerate having bed bugs around with us?
Their Bites Are A Nuisance
While bed bugs typically aren’t deadly, these pests can certainly be annoying to deal with when you’re far from home. Their bites can cause itchy rashes or welts. Some people suffer from severe allergic reactions when they get bitten.
They Are Anxiety-Inducing
It’s quite understandable if we grow paranoid during our travels if we constantly suffer from bed bug bites. They keep us from having a good night’s rest since we keep worrying if the pests will come back and bite again. It certainly puts a damper on your holiday.
You Could Cause Infestations At Home
You also run the risk of bringing the bed bugs back to your home here in Singapore. That would create even more headaches for you to deal with, as you might have to call pest control services to eliminate them.
How to Protect Yourself on the Road
Don’t want the bed bugs to ruin your trip? Here are a few ways to control these pests:
Pack Smart
- Consider protecting your bags with luggage liners, which protect the bags’ interior from the bugs. You can also cover the bags with a plastic wrap or cover for added protection.
- Hard-shell luggage is usually recommended over fabric bags, as the bugs are unlikely to attach to them.
- You can protect your clothes even further by sealing them in Ziploc bags.
Inspect Your Accommodations
- When you reach your hotel room, inspect the whole area first before you unpack. You’ll want to pay more attention to the bed, carpeting, and furniture.
- Even if you’ve already inspected the bed, it’s best not to place your luggage on them as a safety precaution. Instead, place them on an elevated surface so the bugs can’t reach them as easily.
- Your bathroom is also a safe place to stash your luggage.
Keep Your Stuff Clean
- Bed bugs are attracted to sweat and bad odours, so be sure to keep your dirty laundry in sealed plastic bags. This keeps them from being attractive hiding places.
- If you can, wash your laundry so you don’t have to carry dirty clothes around.
What if You Brought Bed Bugs Back Home?

If the bugs still manage to hitch a ride back to Singapore, don’t fret — just follow these steps:
Vacuum Your Belongings ASAP
Vacuum your luggage thoroughly to remove the bugs from them. If you have a steamer, use that on your bags to kill both eggs and adults. Bed bugs can’t survive in high temperatures.
Wash with Hot Water
You should then wash your clothes in hot water and set the dryer on high to ensure that any bugs on them are dead.
When All Else Fails, Call Pest Control Services
If you still end up with an uncontrollable infestation at home, it’s better to have pest control specialists handle it. These experts are well-equipped to control bed bugs in Singapore homes and establishments when property owners can no longer do so.
With extra vigilance and preparations, it’s possible to travel without ever getting pestered by a bed bug. And should the bed bugs bite, don’t be afraid to ask for professional help.