Presidents’ Day Travel Tips: Avoid Bringing Bed Bugs Home After Trips

Presidents’ Day weekend is a prime time for Coloradans to travel, whether you’re heading to the mountains for skiing, flying out of Denver International Airport, or booking a quick staycation near downtown Denver. While you’re planning lift tickets and late checkout, don’t forget one thing that can turn a relaxing holiday into a stressful month: bed bugs. These hitchhiking pests can tag along in luggage, coats, and even car seats, then spread quickly once they reach your home in Aurora, Parker, Centennial, or anywhere along the Front Range.

At SPLAT! Pest Management, we see bed bug activity year-round, but travel-heavy weekends like Presidents’ Day can increase the odds of accidental exposure. Here’s how to prevent bringing bed bugs home and what to do if you suspect you did.

Why Presidents’ Day Travel Raises Bed Bug Risk

Bed bugs don’t care whether a hotel is budget-friendly or luxury. They’re attracted to people, not cleanliness, and they thrive in places with lots of turnover. Presidents’ Day travel means higher occupancy rates, more shared luggage carts, and faster room flips, which can make it easier for bed bugs to spread between rooms and buildings.

If you’re traveling from Denver to a resort town, visiting family, or staying in multi-unit lodging, a small exposure can turn into a costly home infestation without early prevention.

How To Check Your Hotel Or Rental In 2 Minutes

Before you unpack, do a quick inspection. A fast check can save you weeks of frustration and the need for bed bug treatment later.

Look in these spots first:

• Mattress seams and corners (pull back sheets and inspect the piping)
• Headboard area (especially the cracks behind it)
• Bedside furniture joints and drawer corners
• Upholstered chairs or couches, particularly along seams
• Baseboards near the bed and behind curtains

What are you looking for? Small rust-colored spots, shed skins, tiny white eggs, or live bugs (about the size of an apple seed). If you spot signs, request a new room far from the original (not adjacent or directly above/below) or change properties if possible.

People Also Ask: Do Bed Bugs Travel On Clothes Or Luggage?

Yes. Bed bugs commonly hitchhike on luggage, backpacks, and clothing, especially items placed on beds, floors, or upholstered furniture. They don’t jump or fly, but they crawl into seams, zippers, pockets, and folds. The highest-risk mistake is setting your suitcase on the hotel bed or carpet and leaving it open.

To reduce risk, keep luggage on a hard luggage rack (inspect it first) and keep clothing sealed in packing cubes or plastic bags.

Smart Packing And Room Habits That Prevent Hitchhikers

A few small habits during your trip can dramatically lower your odds of bringing bed bugs back to your Denver-area home.

Best practices while traveling:

• Keep suitcases zipped when not in use
• Store luggage in the bathroom on arrival while you inspect the room (bed bugs avoid slick surfaces)
• Avoid placing jackets, hats, or blankets on upholstered chairs
• Keep shoes in a bag or on a hard surface, not under the bed
• Consider bringing large sealable bags for laundry and worn clothes

If you’re traveling with kids, keep stuffed animals and extra blankets in sealed bags too. Those soft items can be easy hiding places.

Unpacking At Home: The 30-Minute “Travel Reset”

Your first steps at home matter most. If you live in a single-family home in Lakewood or a condo in Westminster, this routine helps prevent bed bugs from establishing.

When you get home:

• Bring luggage into a garage, laundry area, or entryway (avoid bedrooms)
• Wash and dry travel clothes immediately on high heat (drying is key)
• Vacuum suitcases and wipe hard-shell luggage, focusing on seams and zippers
• Store luggage away from bedrooms, ideally in a sealed bin

If an item can’t be washed, high heat in a dryer (if safe) or careful isolation can help. Avoid relying on sprays; improper use can scatter bed bugs and complicate pest control.

When To Call A Local Bed Bug Pro In The Denver Metro

If you notice bites, see small spots on sheets, or spot a bug after travel, act quickly. Bed bugs spread fast in bedrooms and can move between units in apartments and multi-family properties in Thornton, Northglenn, Broomfield, and beyond.

SPLAT! Pest Management provides honest, responsive bed bug inspections and targeted treatment options designed to eliminate the problem and help prevent recurrence. We prioritize safe, effective methods and clear communication so you know exactly what’s happening in your home.

Book Your Bed Bug Inspection Before A Small Problem Grows

If you traveled for Presidents’ Day and have any concerns, don’t wait. Early detection is the easiest way to protect your home, your comfort, and your budget. Contact SPLAT! Pest Management for a professional bed bug inspection and treatment plan in Denver, Parker, Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Westminster, Thornton, Northglenn, Arvada, Golden, or Broomfield. Schedule today and travel with peace of mind all season.