Getting bed bugs in your home or RV can be a terrifying experience. However, it’s possible to win the war with these nasty critters if you take action immediately.
A big mistake you can make is to ignore it and do nothing. While bites from these parasites aren’t typically life-threatening, they can cause severe reactions.
Today, we’ll share some valuable information to help you and your RV avoid bed bugs during your travels.
Let’s get going!
What Are Bed Bugs?
While their scientific name is Cimex lectularius, you likely know them as bed bugs. They’re tiny, measuring four to seven millimeters long, and have a flat, reddish-brown body that resembles an apple seed.
Their diet consists primarily of blood from warm-blooded animals. As a result, humans and pets are typical targets of these wingless pests. They have unique parts that allow them to pierce the skin and extract their meal from a host. After feasting, they’ll retreat to safety and hide in cracks and crevices.
Unfortunately, bed bugs are nocturnal and avoid coming out during the day. They’ll lie and wait for their victim to fall asleep before attacking. Additionally, throughout their ten to twelve-month lifespan, females can lay approximately 500 eggs.
Because of their ability to reproduce quickly, ignoring a problem won’t be helpful. Infestations rapidly create a severe situation.
How Do Bed Bugs Get Into Your Home or RV?
To avoid bed bugs, you need to know how they arrived in your home or RV in the first place. They’re crafty little buggers and can hitch a ride inside without your knowledge.
Like the Trojan Horse, you could be responsible for transferring them into your motorhome. It’s common to find them attached to furniture, bedding, luggage, and clothing. They can also travel in backpacks, purses, and your child’s favorite stuffed animal.
The most common places to collect bed bugs include hotels, nursing homes, schools, and office buildings. If you’ve had items in these places, inspect them thoroughly, especially before hauling them into your home or camper.
While bed bugs will feed once or twice per week, they can survive several months without eating. So, even if you rarely go camping, they’ll wait patiently for you.
Ways to Avoid Bringing Bed Bugs Into Your Living Spaces
It’s not always possible to avoid every encounter with bed bugs. Thankfully, you can do several things to reduce the chances of bringing them into your space. You lower your risk of an infestation by taking precautions.
First, examine any new or used furniture before carrying it into your home. It’s essential to look over every inch of fabric, including seams and under cushions. Remember, these critters are sneaky and experts at hide-and-seek.
Hotels, Airbnbs, and other travel accommodations are standard places to catch them. If you notice a strangely sweet or musty odor, it could be a bad sign. Inspect the bed, sheets, and pillows for black or red specks. These could be blood or bed bug excrement and a valid reason to request a new room.
Another way to avoid bed bugs is to store luggage on suitcase stands in hotels. Move the rack away from walls and any furniture. At the end of your trip, thoroughly launder any potentially infected items. Once washed, dry them for at least 30 minutes.
In general, doing a thorough inspection before and after can help you avoid bed bugs. Catching them requires knowing what to look for but can reduce the overall impact.
Bed bugs aren’t the only hazards: 7 Dangerous Creatures in Your House
How to Spot a Bed Bug Infestation
Spotting bed bugs in an RV or any other dwelling can be tricky. The sooner you do it, the better. As you might expect, treating a minor infestation is much easier and cheaper than dealing with a larger one.
The first significant indication is generally a distinct smell. Many compare the odor to that of a damp basement or wet laundry. It’s the result of pheromones released by the trespassing insects. The scent attracts others like them to their secret hiding place. As more of these creepy crawlies arrive, the stink intensifies.
Additional ways to identify bed bugs in an RV are spots on bed sheets, mattresses, and other fabrics. Look for dark or rust-like colors. Unfortunately, what you’re discovering is often excrement or guts.
The last way to diagnose an issue is by physically seeing eggs, eggshells, or live bugs. While their eggs are small, it’s still possible to view them without magnification.
On the other hand, some discoveries lead many to believe they have a problem that doesn’t exist. People find look-alike insects, rashes, and bites and assume they’re bed bugs. When in doubt, reach out to a professional. They’ll be able to help you pinpoint your enemy so you can start planning your attack.
What Is the Best Way to Get Rid of Bed Bugs?
We have bad news if you’re looking for a quick fix to get bed bugs out of your RV or home. Unfortunately, success takes a long-term approach. The most efficient options will require multiple treatments over extended periods.
Chemical pesticides are one of the first steps to getting rid of bed bugs. Apply them to all affected areas. Typically, this will be furniture, carpet, and curtains.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that using pesticides alone throughout the space will be enough. It’s a good start, but more is needed to finish the job.
The next weapon in your arsenal should be a desiccant like diatomaceous earth. Before applying, wear gloves and a face mask to protect yourself. Next, sprinkle enough to create a thin layer around the problem area. A brush will help work the materials down into the fibers and any crevices. After several days, vacuum up the powder and repeat the process.
Desiccants are successful because they break down the bugs’ exoskeletons. Over time, they dehydrate and cease to be living. While this is a usable option, it’s a lengthy process. As we said, it won’t be a quick fix.
Price Check: Diatomaceous Earth
Bed Bug Treatments to Avoid
While we’ve shared a few practical options for bed bugs, there are a few treatments you may consider avoiding. Not only are they inadequate, but they can also be downright dangerous.
For example, it’s tempting to use garden pesticides, especially if you already have some on hand. However, these types of chemicals are usually for outdoor purposes only. You can cause serious health issues if you release them indoors.
Another treatment for bed bugs to forgo is flammable chemicals like gasoline, kerosene, or alcohol. While they’ll likely kill the insects, there’s also a chance you’ll send your RV or home up in smoke.
Additionally, abstain from using bug bombs. While effective at killing insects, they’re not powerful enough to penetrate the places bed bugs hide. You’re simply wasting your time, energy, and money.
We’ve found 5 Reasons Your RV is Infested with Flies.
Knowledge is Power
Sadly, there’s no 100% successful way to avoid bed bugs getting into your home or RV. But now you’re better equipped with what to look for and how to identify potential problems.
Luckily, if you take the steps we’ve shared, you can drastically diminish the odds of an infestation. Additionally, if one does occur, you’ll know how to quickly deal with the situation and reduce the overall impact on your living space.
Discover the Best Free Camping Across the USA
To be honest with you, we hate paying for camping. There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy).
You should give it a try!
As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.
Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers who love to score the best site!
We’ll send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). Access the list by submitting your email below: