Page 15 - Boca Club News - March '24

Boca Club News, Page 15

From The Professionals’ Desks

Healthy Answers–A Guide to Healthy Living:

“This Will “Bug” Any Traveler!”

By Dale Brown, B.S., M.A., C.E.C. In the year 2023 two-thirds of Americans took at least What can you do to prevent a bedbug breeding ground?
Dale is a motivational speaker two leisure trips and it’s estimated that 40% plan to travel If you are traveling to a hotel or returning home you
who has spent many years as a more in 2024. With all this increased international travel might be interested in some of the things you can do to stop
Certified Life Coach and has written it’s no wonder why there has been a huge influx of bedbugs the spread of bedbugs. Here are just a few:
numerous articles and e-books crossing borders. They can easily be lurking in your luggage, Check it out first: Before you even unpack thoroughly
relating to self-improvement and your jacket pocket, backpack or other personal belongings. inspect the mattress and box springs for any signs of
ways to build a high-performance All about bedbugs: Bedbugs aren’t known to transmit bedbugs such as reddish-brown insects, fecal stains (dark
team. She is the author of the book, diseases through their bites, but they can cause itching, spots) or shed bug skins. Look behind the headboard as best
“Small Steps...Big Changes: The redness and swelling. The major concern lies with the you can (that’s a tough one to check easily) and in the sofas
Personal Stories of a Life Coach.” Her education and distress created in knowing that bugs are crawling in your and chairs.
years of experience in physical fitness and training of sheets and mattress, thus the name “bed” bug. Bedbugs Keep your suitcase off the floor: Use luggage racks or
elite athletes has enabled her to sharpen her knowledge can be seen by the naked eye if you look closely. They are place your suitcase on a hard surface away from the bed.
in many health-related areas. The following introduces a small, flat and wingless, with six legs that feed on blood Place clothing in sealable plastic bags or travel pouches.
new approach to Ms. Brown’s series of columns devoted from animals or people. They turn rusty red after feeding but Keep personal items such as bags, backpacks and purses
to many topics that deal with the mind/body connection are usually almost white to brown in color. These pests can elevated and away from potential hiding spots for bedbugs.
and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Dale, live for 10 months and can go weeks without feeding. Their Hot Water counts: Wash clothes in hot water immediately
a Bocaire resident, can be reached at dalebrown@ infestations may go unnoticed until they become severe. when returning home.
lovingmondays.com. These nasty bugs thrive anywhere and hide where there Inspect and vacuum: After you unpack and store your
There’s one thing that can make a fun vacation turn are cracks and crevices. They have become a nuisance for luggage, thoroughly check for signs and thoroughly vacuum
ugly...and I’m not talking about lost luggage or a bad hotels and other public places such as dorms, hospitals, out any you find.
suntan. It’s a little creature that can travel over thousands movie theaters, and maybe even cruise ships. Since harsh Check used goods: If purchasing used furniture or items
of miles and become your next house guest. Yes, bedbugs pesticides such as DDT have been banned in most countries, while traveling, carefully inspect them before bringing
can easily warm up to be spending time in your home and bedbugs have become resistant to the more commonly used anything home.
bed. Unfortunately, these small pesky insects are on the brands, making them harder to kill. If you suspect bedbugs during your travels or after
rise once again! Symptoms and treatment of bedbug bites: Out of sight returning home, it’s important to act promptly. Report
As frequent travelers, my husband and I are always during the day, bedbugs lay in wait to inject an anesthetic the issue to hotel management and consider seeking
conscious of taking necessary precautions for ourselves type of substance that numbs the flesh so you don’t feel professional pest control assistance. Taking preventive
and our home on each of our return trips. Recently, after their bite. They also insert an anticoagulant to keep your measures and staying vigilant can help minimize the risk
spending a glorious two weeks in the Galapagos Islands, blood flowing as they suck. The first sign that a bedbug has of bedbug infestations during and after you return home.
our first chore home was to safeguard our house with the bitten you is an itchy, red bite mark on the skin, usually on Safe Travels!
possibility of introducing some unwanted guests. the arms or shoulders.
So, as we made our way from the garage door to the Bedbug bites don’t usually need to be treated, but if
laundry room we immediately emptied our suitcases, too much scratching occurs, you may need to apply a - _
dropped every piece of our bodily clothes into the washing local antiseptic lotion or antibiotic cream. See a doctor if - - _
_
machine and headed to the showers in our birthday suits. inflammation results, or a prescription for a corticosteroid _ _ _
Quite a sight! cream or an oral antihistamine may be needed.