As we approach the holiday season in December 2025, millions of us are planning trips to visit family, hit the slopes, or escape to warmer climates. But there's one tiny traveler that could turn your dream vacation into a nightmare: bed bugs.
Recent reports show bed bugs remain a persistent issue in hotels across the U.S. Chicago holds the top spot as the most bed bug-infested city for the fifth consecutive year in Orkin's 2025 Top 50 Bed Bug Cities List. Orkin 2025 Top Bed Bug Cities List High guest turnover in hotels creates perfect conditions for these hitchhikers. Nearly 80% of Americans are most concerned about encountering bed bugs in hotels.
National Pest Management Association (NPMA) Bed Bug Facts & Statistics Bed bugs don't discriminate between budget motels and luxury resorts. Even five-star properties can have issues, as they see constant streams of international travelers who unknowingly transport these pests.
The good news? You don't have to let fear ruin your trip. With a few smart habits and the right tools, you can protect yourself and travel with confidence. That's where Premo Guard's 3 oz Travel Size Bed Bug & Mite Killer Spray comes in: a TSA-compliant, natural solution that's perfect for carry-on luggage.
In this guide, we'll walk you through why bed bugs are such a travel headache, essential prevention tips, and exactly how to use our travel spray for peace of mind on every adventure.
Why Bed Bugs Are a Traveler's Nightmare
Bed bugs are masterful hitchhikers. They don't fly or jump. They crawl into your luggage, clothing, or bags from infested hotel rooms, public transport, or even ride-shares. Once they get a ride home with you, eliminating them can be costly and stressful.
Here's why they're especially problematic for travelers in late 2025 and beyond:
- High Turnover in Accommodations: Hotels, Airbnbs, and cruises have constant guest changes, giving bed bugs endless opportunities to spread.
- No Cleanliness Correlation: Infestations happen in spotless, high-end hotels just as often as budget ones. Pest experts note that bed bugs thrive anywhere people sleep.
- Resilience: These pests can survive months without feeding, hiding in mattress seams, headboards, furniture cracks, and luggage.
- Health and Emotional Impact: Bites cause itchy welts, allergic reactions in some people, and sleepless nights. Worse, bringing them home can lead to full infestations requiring professional treatment.
- Ongoing Concern: While some cities saw decreases in 2025 treatments, travel hubs remain hotspots, and global movement keeps the risk elevated. Orkin 2025 Top Bed Bug Cities List
Don't panic. Awareness and preparation are your best defenses.
Essential Bed Bug Prevention Tips Before and During Your Trip
Prevention starts before you even leave home. Follow these expert-recommended steps to minimize risks.
Pre-Trip Preparation
- Research Your Stay: Check recent reviews on sites like TripAdvisor or dedicated registries for any mentions of pests. Avoid places with repeated complaints.
- Pack Strategically: Use hard-shell luggage if possible (fewer hiding spots than soft bags). Seal clothes in plastic bags or compression packs.
- Bring Protection: Pack Premo Guard's 3 oz travel spray. It's compact, TSA-approved (under 3.4 oz), and ready for quick use.
Upon Arrival: The S.L.E.E.P. Inspection Method
Experts from Orkin recommend this simple acronym to check your room quickly. Orkin Bed Bug Tips for Travelers
- Search: Use your phone flashlight to inspect the bed. Pull back sheets and look for live bugs (apple-seed sized, reddish-brown), dark fecal spots, shed skins, or tiny blood stains.
- Lift: Check under mattress seams, box springs, and cushions. Inspect headboards (pull them away from the wall if possible) and furniture upholstery.
- Examine: Look behind pictures, in nightstand drawers, along baseboards, and on curtains or chairs.
- Elevate: Keep luggage off the floor and bed. Use the hotel's luggage rack, or place it in the bathtub (bed bugs rarely climb smooth surfaces like tile).
- Place Clothes Wisely: Don't unpack into drawers. Keep items in sealed bags, and hang clothes in the closet away from the bed.
If you spot signs, notify the front desk immediately, request a room change (preferably on a different floor), and document everything with photos.
How Premo Guard Travel Size Spray Fits Into Your Routine
Our 3 oz Bed Bug & Mite Killer Travel Spray is designed specifically for travelers like you. It's made with natural, plant-based ingredients like essential oils and enzymes that kill bed bugs and dust mites on contact: without harsh chemicals, stains, or strong odors.
Key features:
- TSA-Compliant Size: Fits easily in your carry-on or purse.
- Safe and Non-Toxic: Family- and pet-friendly; no pesticides that could irritate skin or lungs.
- Fast-Acting and Long-Lasting: Kills on contact and provides residual protection.
- Versatile: Safe for mattresses, bedding, luggage, furniture, and more.
- Stain-Free Formula: Won't damage fabrics or surfaces.
Step-by-Step Usage Guide
- Upon Room Check-In: After your S.L.E.E.P. inspection (and even if it looks clear, prevention is key!), lightly mist mattress seams, bed frame, headboard, upholstery, curtains, and chairs. Focus on cracks and crevices.
- Treat Your Luggage: Spray the interior and exterior of your bags, especially zippers and seams. Let it dry (takes just 10-20 minutes).
- Daily Refresh: Give high-touch areas a quick spray if you're staying multiple nights.
- Before Checkout: Re-spray your luggage to ensure no hitchhikers come home.
- Bonus for Transit: Discreetly use on airplane seats, train upholstery, or ride-share seats if needed.
Travelers rave about the peace of mind: "I just spray and sleep, no more worrying about hotel beds!" Many choose natural options like Premo Guard because they're gentler on the environment, yet proven effective through independent testing.
What to Do If You Suspect Bed Bugs (or After Your Trip)
If you find evidence mid-stay:
- Alert hotel staff right away and ask for a non-adjacent room.
- Take photos for records.
- Avoid spreading them. Keep contaminated items isolated.
Heading home:
- Unpack in a garage, bathtub, or outside.
- Immediately hot-wash and dry clothes on high heat (kills all stages).
- Vacuum luggage thoroughly and consider sealing it in a bag for a few days.
- For extra protection at home, upgrade to our larger Bed Bug & Mite Killer sprays or laundry additives.
Conclusion: Travel Confidently with Premo Guard
Bed bugs might be resilient, but so are smart travelers armed with the right knowledge and tools. Don't let them derail your well-deserved vacation. A quick inspection plus Premo Guard's Travel Size Spray lets you relax and enjoy pest-free adventures.
Ready for your next trip? Stock up on our 3 oz travel spray today. Available as a single bottle or convenient 3-pack for families or frequent flyers.
