Are you sending a loved one off to summer camp this summer? There’s a lot you’ll have to prepare for — and unfortunately, bed bugs are on the list. Most summer camps host large groups of kids from all over the country, and many have crowded living quarters and sparse modern amenities. While these conditions can lead to a number of great experiences for kids, they can also create the perfect breeding ground for bed bugs.
In this guide, our PrevSol Bed Bug Heat Doctor professionals will tell you everything you need to know about preparing for bed bugs ahead of summer camp this reason. In addition to providing expert tips, tricks, and resources, we’ll also provide information on our new line of bed bug sprays and other anti-bed bug products ideal for campers and travelers. Read on to learn more, and shop with our trusted team today!
#1: Bed Bugs Feed on Human Blood
Bed bugs are tiny arachnids that feed on human blood. In settings such as a summer camp, where a relatively large number of people are located within a relatively small space such as a cabin or dorm, bed bugs can easily crawl from human host to human host. Though most people show signs of bed bug bites, certain individuals will not display symptoms of bed bug bites on their bodies at all. The best way to tell if you have an infestation to look for bed bugs themselves.
#2: Bed Bugs Are Small, But They Can Be Spotted With the Naked Eye
Though bed bugs are quite small (3 – 5 millimeters in length and 1 – 3 millimeters in width), they can easily be seen with the naked eye. Bed bugs are usually brown or red in color, and have a small flat and oval shape, and have no hind wings. Even bed bug eggs, which are translucent and scarcely larger than a pinhead, can be spotted upon close inspection — provided you know where to look.
#3: Bed Bugs Don’t Just Live In Beds
As bed bugs feed on human blood, they are found in living locations close to human beings. While bedding is perhaps the most common spot for bed bugs to live, they can also be found in carpets, clothing racks and chests, furniture, shoes, and other belongings. While at camp, it’s best to vacuum and sweep as often as possible. It’s also a good idea to pick up clutter like clothes, toys, papers, garbage and other debris. Doing so will greatly reduce the chances of bed bugs settling into the camp space.
#4: Bed Bugs Are Adept Travelers
Bed bugs can survive in hot and cold weather, as well as dry and humid climates. They are notorious hitchhikers, and can easily attach themselves to jackets or luggage. In the summer camp setting, this means that campers can bring bed bugs in from virtually every corner of the world, no matter how far away.
#5: Bed Bugs Can Come Home With Your Camper
Bed bugs’ hitchhiking capabilities don’t only serve as a means of traveling into camp. Indeed, the worst danger of bed bugs at summer camp is that they can easily hitch rides into camper’s luggage, clothing and other items. In the right conditions, bed bugs can travel all the way home with campers, leading to infestations in houses and apartments.
#6: Packing Correctly Can Help Protect Campers
To prevent bed bugs from getting into your camper’s property, we recommend taking several packing precautions. First, it’s important to use washable luggage, like a backpack or a cloth duffel bag. These can be washed immediately at the end of camp to prevent the spread of bed bugs. You can also look into bed bug-proof luggage from our industry-leading inventory here at PrevSol Bed Bug Heat Doctor. For added protection, you can use plastic bags to store your belongings and spray the outside of your luggage and other possessions to keep bed bugs away. At PrevSol Bed Bug Heat Doctor, we have the perfect products for you. Learn more in the following section.
#7: PrevSol Bed Bug Heat Doctor Has Industry-Leading Products to Stop Bed Bugs at Camp
In addition to our specially-tailored anti-bed bug luggage, our team here at PrevSol Bed Bug Heat Doctor is proud to offer a full line of anti-bed bug sprays ideal for use at summer camp and other away-from-home settings. Our sprays are specially-formulated to kill bed bugs on contact and can repel both adult bed bugs and nymphs. Plus, they’re available in a number of sizes, including 3 oz. spritzers for travelers on the go, 1.7 oz. hand sanitizers great for purses and lunch bags, and 32 oz. spray bottles, perfect for camp. Visit our Shop page for more information on our great bed bug products, and contact our team directly to learn more about treating and preventing bed bugs at camp this summer!
