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Written by: Stuart Steele
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]As we say goodbye to another trying year in 2021 and say hello to 2022, and you may have gone away on a well-deserved holiday break with your family and loved ones, the last thing that would be on your list to worry about should be pests.
The unfortunate thing is that certain pests can be a nuisance, as well as a health risk to you while you have been away, and to your home while you were away.
Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is that, even while you’re on holiday at your favourite holiday destination, pests may be lurking there that you did not notice, or you may have noticed. What’s worse, pests don’t always remain the problem of the resort and remain there where they were breeding as you may think, and you may just, unfortunately, bring home some of these unwelcome pest souvenirs to your home on your travel back.
Here are some pests to keep a lookout for preferably when you arrive at your holiday destination, and importantly check your luggage and belongings before packing to come home again to avoid them hitchhiking a ride with you back home.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_single_image image=”1008224″][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs live in and around the areas as their name states- ‘beds’
Best practise to avoid these biting insects is to check your bedroom you staying in such as the linen, the mattress and seams of the mattresses, as well as the base of the beds, as this is the bed bugs favourite spots to nest and harbour in. Go as far as checking couches and chairs where people frequent, to rule out the possibility of bed bugs. As disgusting as it sounds, these critters do come out at night to feed on blood, and you will end up with bite marks where there is a problem. Also remember, bed bugs do not differentiate where they infest, and they don’t always associate themselves with dirty areas, they can exist and thrive in 5 star hotels, resorts, game lodges, B&Bs and even be present on transportation services such as airplanes, buses and trains, so keep a look out in these areas if you are travelling as they can be accidently transported by people, which is very commonly seen.
If you do find infestation, insist that your resort move you to another room, or insist the areas be treated and remove your luggage, clothing and your family from the room until it’s resolved.
If you didn’t know about this, what normally always happens is that these little hitch hiking bugs crawl around, and can make their way into and hide in suitcases, luggage bags, clothing, purses and more. Once they have made their way into these luggage hiding places, the bugs remain perfectly still for extended periods of time. Bed bugs are very small, hidden, and remain still when they not actively feeding, so that travellers don’t often notice them. Once you arrive back home, the bed bugs emerge after you unpack your suitcases and the bed bugs have a new home to breed and infest.
One tip of advice we can give when you arrive back from your holiday, is to put all your travelling items into a tumble drier on a high temperature for around 30 minutes, as the high heat will kill possible bed bugs.
To read more tips on bed bugs, read a previous post about this here https://flickpest.co.za/bed-bugs-how-do-i-check-for-bed-bugs/[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_single_image image=”1008231″][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]
Cockroaches
Cockroaches being larger and easier to spot than pests like bed bugs, can often land up coming home with you in a similar way as to how bed bugs do – in one’s luggage and clothing etc. They are naturally attracted to warm, dark, moist areas, and where there are areas such as kitchens that have poor housekeeping or cleaning, they can harbour in these places, resulting in them catching a ride with you home if you have packed items back from the kitchen area or bathroom cupboards often end up hitchhiking back with you in very similar ways to bed bugs. Cockroaches are naturally attracted to these dark, warm, moist, and secluded areas, and bathrooms are also a common area they like to congregate and breed in.
When you pack your bags and belongings before leaving your holiday destination, check these first to ensure there are none that have made their way in, and do the same when you get home to ensure none have found their way back to your home.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_single_image image=”1008226″][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]
Lice
Lice are tiny little parasitic insects that feed on human blood and can get into people’s hair after climbing into it from items like linen, pillows, and clothing items such as hats, scarves, jerseys etc.
When they attack their victims as such, these tiny insects latch on with hook-like legs onto various materials/ fabrics until they can move up to areas of the body they would inhabit and feed on. Lice further travel on people, and not on luggage and goods such as what cockroaches or bed bugs would, as they cannot survive without a host of which they feed on.
Be on the lookout for these little insects, and if you do suspect you have them on you, have your hair inspected, and if they are seen, then first seek treatment from a pharmacist or medical practitioner, and then have your premises treated with a pest control application once you are on the course of the lice treatment for one’s hair.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]If you do suspect you have a problem, and would like a professional assessment done, please contact us today for a no obligation free quote, and assessment by one of our trained sales representatives.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Remember “One Flick and They’re Gone”
Give us a ring on 087 056 1021, drop us an email at enquiries@flickpest.co.za or drop us a comment on our blog or social media platforms.
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