We all enjoy getting out of the weekly grind, putting our feet up, and enjoying some well deserved rest and relaxation at our favorite luxury resort. The scarey part about sleeping in a hotel bed is that you must understand that hundreds perhaps even thousands of people have slept in the very bed you are relaxing on. There is no real way to tell how extensive of a clean the maids did when turning your room over for your arrival. So what are some things you can do to protect yourself from bed bugs while on the road? Check out the article below…

If you’re sleeping somewhere other than home, beware. Bedbug prevalence is on the rise, and hotels and motels are some of their favorite hangouts.

These pesky critters can cause severe itching and welt-like bites, and it’s costly to get rid of them if they follow you home. What’s more, research suggests they can cause financial distress, anxiety, and social isolation.

But no need to get depressed just yet. With these easy tips, you can cut your chances of critter trouble while on the road.

Before you check out your hotel room’s minibar or oceanfront view, give it a thorough bedbug inspection—and until you’ve done that, stash your luggage in the loo.

“Bedbugs are least likely to be found in the bathroom,” says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association. “They don’t like the tile floors and there aren’t as many hiding places. They like to be closer to where people may be sleeping.”

Inspect the bed

Here’s how to check for a bedbug infestation: Pull back the linens, and check all the way around and under the mattress and behind the headboard.

Look for blood stains or small black dots that look like mold or ground pepper, says Christine Johnson, PhD, a behavioral ecologist in the American Museum of Natural History’s Division of Invertebrate Zoology, in New York City. Check for the critters too. Bedbugs are about the size and shape of an apple seed, and you may find them hiding in corners or seams of the bedding.

Read More Here: http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20513823_3,00.html