--- title: Don't Bring Bed Bugs Home for the Holidays! description: Preparing to travel to or host holiday gatherings this season? Here's how to avoid bringing bed bugs into your Massachusetts or Rhode Island home. image: https://blog.burgesspest.com/hubfs/BED%20BUGS/BED%20BUG%20SHADOW.jpeg --- [![Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png](https://blog.burgesspest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Burgress_Oct2018/Images/Blog/Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png?width=468&name=Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png "Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png")](https://www.burgesspest.com) 508-587-4309  |    [Customer Login ](http://login.burgesspest.com/) - - - - - Residential - [Pad Protection Plans](https://www.burgesspest.com/pad-protection-plans/) - [Ant Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-ant-control/) - [Tick & Mosquito Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tick-mosquito-control/) - [Rodent Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-rodent-control/) - [Bee Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bee-control/) - [Insulation Cleanouts](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-insulation-cleanouts/) - [TAP® Insulation](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tap-insulation-installer/) - [Wildlife Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-wildlife-control/) - [Schedule an Inspection](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-an-inspection/) - Commercial - [Partnering with Burgess](https://www.burgesspest.com/partnering-with-burgess/) - [3-Part Plan](https://www.burgesspest.com/inspect-detect-correct/) - [A Higher Standard](https://www.burgesspest.com/higher-standard/) - [Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/services/) - [Disinfectant Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/disinfectant-services/) - [Sanitation Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/trash-chute-elevator-pit-cleaning/) - [Pest Management for Food Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/food-services-pest-management/) - [Pest Management for Warehousing & Distribution](https://www.burgesspest.com/warehouse-distribution-pest-management/) - [Our Guarantee](https://www.burgesspest.com/our-guarantee/) - [Pest Management for Healthcare](https://www.burgesspest.com/healthcare-pest-management/) - Termites - [Termite Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-termite-control/) - [The Sentricon System](https://www.burgesspest.com/the-sentricon-system/) - [Schedule an Inspection](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-a-termite-inspection/) - Bed Bugs - [Identifying Bed Bugs](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bed-bug-control/) - [Heat Treatments](https://www.burgesspest.com/bed-bug-heat-treatments-in-massachusetts/) - [Let’s Talk!](https://www.burgesspest.com/lets-talk-bugs/) - Resources - [Our Blog](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog) - [Video Library](https://www.burgesspest.com/video-library/) - [SDS](https://www.burgesspest.com/sds/) - [Consumer Bulletins](https://www.burgesspest.com/consumer-bulletins/) - Company - [Our Story](https://www.burgesspest.com/our-story/) - [Careers at Burgess](https://www.burgesspest.com/careers-at-burgess/) - [Service Areas](https://www.burgesspest.com/service-areas/) - [Customer Reviews](https://www.burgesspest.com/customer-reviews/) ## Our Blog # Don't Bring Bed Bugs Home for the Holidays! By [Admin](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/author/admin)| Dec 9, 2021 12:00:00 PM |[0 Comments](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/bed-bug-prevention-holidays-massachusetts-rhode-island#comments-listing) The holiday season is a time for gathering; whether you’re traveling or hosting the festivities, there’s one guest you definitely don’t want to entertain – [bed bugs](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bed-bug-control/). Here’s what you should know about bed bugs and how to avoid becoming a host during the [holidays](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/holiday-pest-control-tips-massachusetts-rhode-island). ![Avoiding Bed Bugs During Holidays Massachusetts Rhode Island](https://blog.burgesspest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BED%20BUGS/BED%20BUG%20SHADOW.jpeg?width=293&name=BED%20BUG%20SHADOW.jpeg)[Bed bugs](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/bed-bugs-debunked) are small, reddish-brown insects with flat, oval-shaped bodies. They are generally nocturnal, coming out at night to feed on human blood, although, like humans, they will look for a meal anytime of day if hungry. Because [bed bugs](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/tick-or-bed-bug) cannot fly or jump, they rely on their hitchhiking skills to get from place to place. Bed bugs can be found pretty much anywhere – You could unwittingly pick them up in [hotels](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/dont-bring-bed-bugs-home-massachusetts), stores, offices, schools, theaters, someone’s home, even on public transportation. They will hitch a ride inside suitcases, backpacks, purses, and anything offering dark, tight spaces to hide in until they reach their destination. Signs of a bed bug problem include bite marks, rashes, or welts; dark stains on bedding, mattresses, or walls; blood stains on clothing or bedding; and live bed bugs or molted skins. To inspect your bed, carefully check the seams of your mattress, the bed frame, and around the headboard for live bugs, shed skins, or waste. Despite their name, bed bugs aren’t only found in beds – they could be [hiding](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/hide-seek-with-bed-bugs) in other pieces of furniture, inside books, behind picture frames and wall hangings, even behind electrical outlet covers. Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eliminate, but there are some simple ways to avoid them: - **Stay clean and organized.** The more clutter you have, the more hiding places bed bugs can find, and the harder it can be to get rid of them. - If you’re traveling, **inspect your luggage** when you return home and wash belongings as soon as possible. - **Wash bedding regularly**, particularly after having visitors stay overnight. - When staying in hotels or vacation rentals, **do not place your luggage on the floor or bed** until you’ve inspected your space. If you find any evidence of bed bugs, report it immediately. - **Vacuuming regularly** can help to prevent or reduce bed bug populations, but it will not eliminate an infestation. Finally, if you suspect you’re playing host to these uninvited guests, [call a professional](https://www.burgesspest.com/lets-talk-bugs/) right away. A bed bug infestation will only get worse if left untreated, but treating with store-bought products is never recommended. The bed bug experts at [Burgess Pest](https://www.burgesspest.com/)come armed with the knowledge, science, and technology to properly identify bed bugs and determine the best method for safely eliminating them from your home. 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