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Souvenirs, fabulous tans, stories to last a lifetime, and bedbugs: all things one brings back from a vacation, right?

Well, hopefully not, because nothing ruins the rest of summer like having to fight a bedbug infestation in your home.

Before you unpack those bags in paradise, take the time to check to see if you’ve accidentally checked into bedbug heaven with these five tips from Dr. Seemal R. Desai at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Check for:

1. A sweet, musty odor: If you notice a sweet, musty odor in your hotel room, cruise ship cabin, or other sleeping area, there may be a heavy bedbug infestation in the room. Bedbugs produce chemicals to help them communicate, although not everyone will notice the smell.

2. Specks of blood on bedding, mattresses, or upholstered furniture: Look carefully at your blankets, sheets and mattress pads, and then check the mattress and box spring. Are there specks of blood anywhere, especially near the seams? If so, there could be a bedbug infestation. You should also check for specks of blood on all upholstered furniture, including couches and headboards.

Full story at Newswise.

The downsides of travel.

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons/Piotr Naskrecki, Graphics credit: Canva