The idea of bed bugs on an airplane might sound like a traveler’s worst nightmare, but it’s not as far-fetched as you might think. Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers, and airplanes, with their high turnover of passengers and fabric-lined seats, are potential hotspots.
Let’s dig into the facts, peppered with two first-person stories that might make you double-check your seat before settling in.
A Mid-Air Bed Bug Encounter
Imagine this: You’re on a red-eye flight from New York to London. Exhausted, you finally drift off when you feel an itch on your leg. At first, you shrug it off—airplane cabins aren’t exactly known for their comfort. But then, another itch. And another. A quick glance at your seat reveals the horrifying truth: a tiny, brownish bug scurrying into the crevice of the armrest.
That’s precisely what happened to Thea, one of our former bed bug inspection clients who found herself battling bed bugs at 35,000 feet. “I couldn’t believe it,” she recalls. “I was scratching like crazy and later discovered small red bites on my arms and legs.”
Luckily for Thea, she is the type that reacts strongly to the bites. If she had been among the 30% of folks who did not react to bed bug bites, she might never have known there was a problem.
Her experience isn’t unique. There have been documented (especially on social media) cases of bed bugs on planes, the most recent being on Turkish Airlines. But how do these pests make their way onto airplanes?
Why Bed Bugs Love Planes (Unfortunately)
Bed bugs don’t fly, but they’re great at hitching rides. With their tight spaces and fabric seats, airplanes provide an ideal environment for these pests to spread.
- High Passenger Turnover: Planes see hundreds of passengers daily. A single traveler with bed bugs in their luggage or clothing can unwittingly introduce them.
- Soft Surfaces: Unlike hard plastic or leather, fabric seats and carpeting offer perfect hiding spots for bed bugs to slip into.
- International Travel: Airports and planes are global hubs, increasing the likelihood of encountering bed bugs from regions where infestations are more common.
But why don’t airlines prevent this? The truth is that bed bugs are notoriously hard to spot and get rid of. This is why many airlines hire a K9 inspection company to inspect each plane quarterly. We’ve seen them hiding in the cracks and crevices of seats, evading detection.
What To Do If You Suspect Bed Bugs Mid-Flight
So, what should you do if you see bed bugs on your flight? First, don’t panic—you can take steps to minimize the impact.
- Take photos: Document what you see because what you think might be a bed bug could be a roach or beetle.
- Alert the Crew: Notify flight attendants immediately. They may be able to move you to another seat.
- Inspect Your Seat: Check for tiny, reddish-brown bugs or black spots (bed bug droppings). Look along seams and folds.
- Order a Bed Bug Heater Now: Before arriving at your destination, use a bed bug oven or dryer to heat your clothing and luggage to 120 F.
And once you’ve landed, be vigilant and bag your things if you can’t heat treat them right away. Bed bugs can travel home with you in luggage or clothing, so take precautions.
Always Take Preventative Measures When You Get Home
Many people don’t realize that not everyone reacts to bed bug bites. If you’re one of the lucky few who don’t develop itchy welts, you might not even know you’ve been bitten—until it’s too late and bed bugs are thriving in your home.
To stay ahead of a possible infestation:
- Heat Treat Your Clothes: As soon as you get home, put all your travel clothes directly into a high-heat dryer for at least 30 minutes. Heat kills bed bugs (and eggs) at every stage of life.
- Inspect and Vacuum Your Luggage: Check your bags for signs of bed bugs and vacuum them thoroughly before storing them. But better yet, put your luggage through a heater too!
- Keep Travel Items Separate: Store your suitcase in a sealed bag.
These simple steps can save you from weeks—or even months—of dealing with a full-blown infestation.
Preventing Bed Bugs While Traveling
The best offense is a good defense. Here are a few ways to minimize your risk of bed bugs during air travel:
- Travel with a Seat Cover: A disposable seat cover can create a bug barrier between you and potential pests.
- Inspect Your Seat Before Sitting: Use a flashlight (or the one on your phone) to quickly check for signs of infestation.
- Keep luggage Off the Floor: Store your carry-on in the overhead bin rather than under the seat.
Another one of our clients recently discovered a bed bug infestation on her flight from Florida to California. She put her coat under the seat in front of her and noticed 3 bed bugs on the top of the coat after landing. If you must place your things under the seat, I suggest first bagging them. Doing this will at least ensure that you are isolating your stuff.
How Likely Is This Really?
While stories like Thea’s are alarming, the overall risk of encountering bed bugs on a plane is becoming more prevalent. In 2023 they were found in an airport in Hawaii!
Since Airlines typically clean their cabins between flights, they may catch or see a problem before it becomes a full-blown plane-wide infestation. However, due to the elusive nature of bed bugs, just cleaning the cabin may not catch the issue.
The takeaway? Bed bugs are opportunists, and airplanes are just one of many places they can thrive. By staying alert and taking precautions during and after your trip, you can significantly reduce your chances of bringing these unwelcome passengers home.
So, the next time you buckle up at cruising altitude, don’t forget to take a quick glance around—just in case. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially when it comes to bed bugs.