Welcome to a brand new week, folks! I would say I hope you’re keeping warm, except I find myself wiping droplets of sweat off my keyboard on this 89 degree day in Mumbai.
17.11.2023 - 01:27 / forbes.com
Bed bugs are known to travel from hotels to unlucky travelers’ homes. But the pesky insects that cause itchy bites and are a pain to get rid of also hide out in several other places, many of which are popular on tourist circuits, according to pest experts.
“These tiny, resilient pests are notorious hitchhikers, and while most travelers are vigilant about hotel beds and luggage, bed bugs can sneak into your life from the most unexpected places,” says Lorne Hanewich, corporate trainer at Anticimex Carolinas, which has locations in two dozen U.S. states.
In general, bed bugs are attracted to warmth, carbon dioxide, and the scent of humans, Hanewich says. They seek out hiding spots close to their food source (i.e. people!) and places where they won't be disturbed. An abundance of hidden nooks, plus fabrics, and a regular influx of people is ideal for bed bugs.
Of course, it’s always a good idea to check your hotel room for bed bugs, but here’s six more spots where you can surprisingly pick up bed bugs whether you’re traveling or close to home, according to pest experts.
“Coat checks at theaters, museums, or event venues might seem innocuous, but they're communal spaces where bed bugs can linger,” says Hanewich.
Jackets piled together create cozy hiding spots, allowing these pests to hitch a ride home on someone's coat or bag, he says.
If you’re traveling in a taxi, train or bus — basically any shared space with upholstery — you could come across bed bugs.
The transient nature of these vehicles provides a perfect environment for bed bugs to hop from one passenger to another, making their way into bags or clothes, Hanewich says.
Busy hubs like malls, restaurants, and movie theaters might seem like unlikely bed bug hideouts, but the constant influx of people creates opportunities for these pests to tag along unnoticed, Hanewich says. They might lurk in upholstered seating, hidden in the seams of chairs or booths, ready to sneak into unsuspecting coats or bags.
Many travelers shop at flea markets and antique shops while abroad, hauling home art pieces, clothes, and other knickknacks. But second hand shops can be a hot spot for bed bugs, Hanewich says, with the insects burrowed in clothing and household items.
Christian Tweed, a specialist with Killingsworth, a pest management company, says he’s found bed bugs on brand-new furniture, still plastic-wrapped. So how exactly does that happen? Tweed explains that many mattress companies offer free removal of old mattresses. If your new bed is transported in a truck that hauled away an old bed with bed bugs, the insects could have latched on to the brand new mattress.
Of course, as their name suggests, bed bugs are commonly found in beds — in mattresses, upholstered
Welcome to a brand new week, folks! I would say I hope you’re keeping warm, except I find myself wiping droplets of sweat off my keyboard on this 89 degree day in Mumbai.
You're next Uber ride could go towards a future Marriott hotel stay.
In the spirit of holiday giving, we want to know: Do you have an expiring airline upgrade, drink voucher, lounge pass or another travel benefit you won't be using that you could share with a fellow TPG reader before it expires?
Jordan is the ultimate adventure destination. Here you can experience the rich culture, Arab hospitality and cuisine, ancient ruins, out-of-this-world views, the adrenaline rush of rappelling into a canyon and the serenity of sleeping under starry skies – all in one day.
When humans first soared in the air, it was not aboard an airplane. It was in a hot air balloon, in 1783 — 120 years before the Wright brothers’ maiden flight. Since then, biplanes have evolved into jumbo jets, but the basic technology behind ballooning has hardly changed: cloth, basket, burner, ballast and ground crew.
There are only two peaks in the Alps higher than Mount Erciyes — Mont Blanc and the Dufourspitze — but I hadn’t heard of this mighty Anatolian mountain until I was presented with the opportunity to ski its slopes. At 3,917 metres, it only ranks as Turkey’s fifth-highest mountain, but the dormant volcano lends its name to the country’s largest ski resort and it offers a very different experience to skiing in the Alps.
At this time of year, hotels all over the world feature unusual amenities. But this one in New York City is a great way to get in some meditation and creativity while you test out your artistic skills. And get a great holiday gift – for yourself.
There's big news from the other side of the Atlantic concerning the Etihad Guest and Air France-KLM Flying Blue partnership. Etihad announced on Monday, Nov. 27, that the airlines have launched frequent flyer reciprocity, enabling travelers to earn and redeem miles across the airline groups. So, what does this mean, and how can travelers use it to their advantage?
Despite having a coastline of beautiful beaches perfect for lazing on, visitors to Kenya rarely sit still – the country simply has too many exciting things to do.
As the sun begins to set on 2023, time is running out to qualify for elite status before the clock strikes midnight and we welcome a new year.
For a lot of Thanksgiving travelers and hosts, there's a mutual, perhaps unwritten, agreement: The out-of-town guests travel, and the hosts handle the cooking.
How about some dreamy, aspirational travel news? Imagine: You can dine on whatever you desire, served by your private chef; whisk down a slide off a grand yacht into a warm sea; picnic on a private beach served by a doting staff; party hard in a hot tub on a deck under the stars — just like lucky guests on Below Deck, the binge-worthy TV show on Bravo and Peacock.