Check for bed bugs!
If you've done any traveling this summer, you've probably had the thought cross your mind that bed bugs could be lurking in your hotel room. But that's only half the concern. Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers, and that's often how people bring them home, like an unwanted house guest. 
Bed bugs are parasites that feed on a host (humans!). They're often hiding in tight spaces, such as the seams of a mattress, the box spring, behind picture frames, and along baseboards, just to name a few areas. When they come out to feed, they're attracted to the release of CO2. A sleeping human is an easy target because we're fairly static objects in bed, while emitting a steady stream of CO2 as we exhale.
While it's possible bed bugs may feed on us, the risky proposition is bringing them home. Since they commonly hide in tight spaces, bed bugs will occasionally move into the seams of your luggage. It's also possible they could be hiding in your clothing and inadvertently hitch a ride home.
Here's a quick piece of advice:
- Inspect your bed and bed frame at your hotel
- Ask the front desk if your room has ever has a confirmed case of bed bugs.
- Keep your luggage off the floor. Use the luggage racks.
- Check your luggage seams.
- If you're really concerned about Massachusetts bed bug control, contact an experienced professional like Burgess Pest Management to check for you.
