Kansas City is getting ready to host the massive FIFA 2026 World Cup. This is super exciting, and it means thousands of visitors from all over the world will be coming to our city. Our hotels are getting ready to welcome them, but it’s not just hotels that need to be prepared. Homeowners, short-term rental owners, and people who take public transportation should know about a small, unwelcome traveler: bed bugs. These little critters are legendary hitchhikers, and they can easily follow the crowds straight into your home if you aren’t careful.
How They Travel to KC
Bed bugs are not a sign of a dirty house or a cheap hotel. They feed on blood, which means they will simply go wherever people go. They get their name from their favorite hiding spot, mattresses, but they will cling to suitcases, clothing, purses, and backpacks. Because of this, they can easily spread from a plane seat to a luggage compartment, and then into a hotel room. Then, that person brings the hidden pests home and a new infestation begins.
What You Can Do About Bed Bugs
When you travel, there are simple steps you can take. First, always inspect your room before you settle in. Lift the mattress sheets and look for tiny black spots or bugs along the seams. Second, keep your suitcase off the floor. Use a luggage rack or even place your bag in the dry bathtub. Bed bugs have trouble climbing smooth surfaces like porcelain and metal. Finally, when you get home, immediately wash all of your clothes in hot water and dry them on the highest heat setting possible for at least 30 minutes. The high heat from the dryer is what actually kills them.
How Everett Milberger Pest Control Can Help
If you are worried that you might have brought bed bugs home, or if you simply want to make sure your home or rental property is clear before the crowds arrive, we have some great news. Everett Milberger Pest Control offers free bed bug inspections. This means we will come to your property and check all the hiding spots for free. Our expert technicians are specially trained to find these pests, from their microscopic eggs to fully grown bugs, which can be as small as an apple seed.
Let’s get ready for the World Cup and show our visitors the best of Kansas City. Let’s also make sure we keep these unwelcome hitchhikers out of our homes. For your free inspection and to learn more about how we can help you get peace of mind, contact Everett Milberger Pest Control today.