As summer travel continues across the United States, there’s a small, persistent threat that often catches people off guard: bedbugs. These elusive pests have long troubled hotels, motels, and rental properties, but they are now appearing in more unexpected places: airplanes, public transit, and even luxury accommodations.

With bed bug infestations rising during the warmer months, pest management experts are advising travelers to take simple but important steps to avoid bringing home unwelcome hitchhikers.

Bedbugs are small, flat, reddish-brown insects that feed on blood and hide in the seams of mattresses, behind headboards, and in furniture crevices.

According to entomologists interviewed by Wirecutter and Scientific American, bedbugs are persistent and sneaky, but not invisible. Signs of their presence include dark fecal spots near bed corners or mattress seams and, occasionally, the bugs themselves.

Although bedbugs are not known to spread disease, their presence can cause significant stress, sleep loss, and expensive extermination efforts. Once inside a home, they can spread rapidly, infesting bedding, furniture, and clothing. Unlike some pests that can be eliminated with a quick spray or trap, getting rid of bedbugs usually requires professional help with specialized equipment, treatments, and multiple follow-up visits.

For pest control operators (PCOs), bedbug infestations are a major concern, especially because the public often doesn’t realize they’ve been exposed until the bugs are already there. That’s why prevention and early detection are so important. Pest management professionals rely on advanced tools like heat treatments and chemical applications to control infestations, but these methods only work if the problem is caught early.

Before unpacking at a hotel or rental, examine the bed, especially around seams and the headboard, for any signs of bugs or stains. Use a flashlight or lint roller to check hard-to-see areas, and avoid placing luggage on the bed or floor. Instead, use hard surfaces or luggage racks. After returning home, running clothing through a hot dryer cycle can kill any potential stowaways, while vacuuming and inspecting bags help prevent infestations before they start.

Pest control professionals are well-equipped to handle infestations, but they need the public’s help through awareness, vigilance, and early reporting.

Bedbugs don’t discriminate between budget motels and five-star resorts, and anyone can unknowingly carry them home.

Protecting your family, home, and peace of mind starts with understanding the risk and working together with pest professionals to stay one step ahead.