“Skyborne Pests: Essential Insights on Bedbugs for Every Traveler”

Certain airline passengers may be bringing back more than just keepsakes after their journeys.

A woman aboard a Turkish Airlines flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul reported seeing a bedbug crawling on her seat during the flight, as stated in The New York Times this month.

She asserted that the flight attendant ignored her worries, and subsequently shared her ordeal in a Facebook travel community where others reported similar encounters with bedbugs on flights.

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Fox News Digital reached out to Turkish Airlines for a statement.

Travel is a frequent method for bedbugs to “hitch a ride” on your belongings and accompany you home, an expert indicates. (iStock)

A representative from Turkish Airlines informed travel news outlet SimpleFlying.com, “In light of recent reports concerning bedbugs, we wish to emphasize that Turkish Airlines is committed to upholding the highest standards of safety and comfort.”

“Bedbug incidents are a widespread concern occasionally faced in public areas, including aircraft. In this context, we take all input seriously and meticulously examine each report. In such scenarios, affected aircraft are swiftly subjected to all required inspections and treatments,” the representative stated, noting that the airline’s planes are “regularly cleaned” and “thoroughly sanitized prior to each flight.”

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Benjamin Hottel, an entomologist with Orkin based in Georgia, informed Fox News Digital that travel is a typical way for bedbugs to become an issue.

He mentioned that bedbugs feed on blood, seeking humans or animals as their food source.

“They sense humans via the carbon dioxide we breathe out and our body warmth. When not in search of humans or animals for feeding, bedbugs prefer to conceal themselves in dark nooks and crannies,” Hottel stated.

He continued, “They are generally not observed out in the open.”

“Bedbugs often hitch a ride on luggage and personal belongings, they can unintentionally find their way onto airplanes,” Hottel explained.

He emphasized, “They are exceptionally adept at hitchhiking, traveling on personal effects such as luggage, garments, purses, and gym bags. Travelers might unknowingly carry them from one location to another.”

Benjamin Hottel, a Georgia-based Orkin entomologist, notes that bedbugs can attach to personal possessions like luggage, garments, purses, and gym bags. (iStock)

In November, Eric Braun, a board-certified entomologist and skilled technical service manager at Terminix, advised Fox News Digital to unpack only the essentials while traveling.

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“I personally place my toiletries on the bathroom counter, hang clothes that require hanging in the closet, and leave everything else in my suitcase, storing my suitcase in the bathroom,” he advised.

To prevent bringing bedbugs home from travels, travelers should search for small, flat, oval-shaped and brownish-red insects on their luggage, according to Hottel. (andresr)

Similar to Hottel, Braun also noted that bedbugs excel at “hitchhiking.”

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“If clothing is left inside the suitcase and placed on the floor, close to the bed, or within the vicinity of potential hiding spots for bedbugs, then the suitcase and its contents are at risk for hitchhiking bedbugs,” Braun warned.

To avoid returning home with bedbugs from trips, travelers should be on the lookout for small, flat, oval-shaped and brownish-red insects on their luggage and their shed skins or excrement, according to Hottel.

He mentioned it “may resemble ink stains near the seams of fabric or furniture.”

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“If you suspect you have encountered bedbugs, place travel attire in the dryer for 30-45 minutes on the highest heat setting. Vacuum your luggage and dispose of the vacuum contents in a sealed garbage bag,” Hottel recommended.