With COVID prohibitions and regulations gradually coming to an end, more and more families are taking to the open road and skies again. This is good, as tourism can be a huge booster for the economy. There are many places the depend on tourism as a means of survival. These places have been affected the biggest during COVID. What makes matters even for is, they are being affected by this new resurgence of
bed bugs. If you are going to travel these days, you need to know how to properly protect yourself. And, that’s exactly where the SLEEP theory can come in.
SURVEY
The breakdown of the SLEEP theory, you must begin with the “S”, which means to survey. To completely survey your hotel room before just moving in. Don’t just venture into the hotel room, start unpacking your gear, and call it a night. It could be possible that you are unpacking your belongings into a
bed bugs-infested closet or drawer. You might even be sleeping in a mattress infested with these creatures. Just because you are paying $100 to $200 a night for accommodations, it doesn’t mean you aren’t at risk of an infestation.
Bed bugs do not discriminate. Take the time to properly survey your sleeping arrangement before just moving in.
Lift And Look
The second part of the SLEEP theory continues with the “L”. This one is so important it has two meanings, lift and look. This one is just pretty much a continuance of the first step of the process. It means taking the survey a little bit further. Instead of just looking in drawers and closets, it means lifting the mattress and look under it. Lift the box spring and check under it. Heck, turn the pillowcase inside out if you have to. Lift and look under all the potential hiding spots for
bed bugs. This might seem like a hassle, but if it prevents an infestation, you’ll be saving yourself a lot of time, effort, and future finances.
ELEVATE
The first E in the SLEEP theory represents elevate. Now, this one is genius. It pretty much means what the name suggests. You know those little racks that hang high above the closet or where the bathroom meets the living quarters or the hotel room? This is where you want to put your luggage and belongings upon entering your
hotel room.
Bed bugs are well-known hitchhikers, but they cannot invade what they cannot reach. If you place your luggage and belongings high up, they will likely not be able to access them. This can go a long way to prevent an infestation, and it’ll give you sufficient time to fully inspect the room for bed bugs.
Bed bugs can crawl up walls, but this will greatly reduce the likelihood, as they first try the easiest means.
EXAMINE
If you thought the first E in the sleep theory was genius, you are in for a real treat with the second one. The second E, in theory, represents examine and it means much more than what you think. When most people see that it means to examine, they just assume that it means to reexamine the room. No, it means to reexamine your luggage and belongings before heading home. Just because you checked for bed bugs and didn’t spot any or didn’t experience any during your stay, it doesn’t mean you weren’t exposed. This is why it is imperative to take the time to carefully check your belongings before just packing up and heading home. Even a quick run-through of your belongings can go a long way.
PLACE
The P might be the last letter in the SLEEP theory, but it is without a doubt one of the most important steps. As a matter of fact, it could be the very most important. This is because it is a step of action. While all the steps could be considered steps of action, this one is applied to kill the bugs. This is also a step that is applied when you arrive home. It represents placement and what it means is to place your belongings in the washer immediately after arriving home. Washing them on the highest heat setting and then drying them on the highest heat setting will likely kill all bed bugs, eggs, and larvae. It’s a proven scientific fact that bed bugs cannot survive when exposed to temperatures of 140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
That’s what this part of the theory puts to the test. Instead of just arriving home and unpacking your belongings or new items, wash and dry them. This will ensure that you eliminate the potential for an infestation. Bed bugs can be extremely difficult to eradicate and prevention is the best means of ensuring your home does not suffer an infestation. That’s exactly what the SLEEP theory will help you do.