How To Check For Bed Bugs In A Hotel

Traveling should be a relaxing and enjoyable experience, but nothing can ruin a trip faster than bringing home unwanted guests—bed bugs. These tiny pests are expert hitchhikers, and hotels, motels, and vacation rentals can sometimes harbor infestations. Knowing how to check for bed bugs in a hotel before settling in can save you from bites, discomfort, and the nightmare of an infestation at home.

In this guide, we’ll cover the common signs of bed bugs, how to prevent bed bugs while staying in a hotel, and what to do if you encounter bed bugs during your stay.

A Traveler’s Guide To Bed Bugs

How Do I Know If a Hotel Has Bed Bugs?

While bed bugs can be found in even the cleanest hotels, certain signs indicate their presence. Here’s what to look for when checking your hotel room:

1. Inspect the Mattress and Box Springs

Bed bugs hide in small cracks and crevices, with mattresses and box springs being some of their favorite hiding spots. Pull back the sheets and blankets and carefully inspect the seams, edges, and folds of the mattress.

Look for:

• Rust-colored spots – These are bed bug fecal stains.
• Shed skins – As bed bugs grow, they shed their exoskeletons.
• Tiny white eggs – These are about the size of a pinhead.
• Live bed bugs – Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown, oval-shaped, and about the size of an apple seed.

2. Check the Headboard and Bed Frame

Bed bugs often hide in the crevices of headboards and bed frames. Use a flashlight to check along the seams and any cracks in the wood or upholstery.

3. Inspect Upholstered Furniture

Bed bugs don’t just hide in beds. Upholstered furniture like couches, chairs, and padded headboards can also harbor these pests. Look along seams, under cushions, and in any folds or tufts of fabric.

4. Examine the Luggage Rack

Before setting your bags down, inspect the luggage rack thoroughly. Bed bugs often hide in the cracks and crevices of wooden or fabric-covered luggage racks, waiting for the perfect opportunity to crawl into your suitcase.

5. Look for Signs on Walls and Curtains

If an infestation is severe, you might see rust-colored spots on the walls, curtains, or baseboards. Bed bugs can also hide behind picture frames, electrical outlets, and inside drawers.

How to Prevent Bed Bugs When Staying in a Hotel

Even if you don’t see immediate signs of bed bugs, taking precautions can help ensure you don’t bring them home. Follow these tips to prevent bed bugs when staying in a hotel:

1. Keep Your Luggage Off the Floor and Bed

Instead of placing your suitcase on the bed or floor, use a luggage rack or place your bag in the bathroom, where bed bugs are less likely to hide.

2. Use a Hard-Shell Suitcase

Bed bugs have an easier time clinging to fabric suitcases than hard-shell ones. If possible, opt for a hard-shell suitcase to reduce the chances of bed bugs hitching a ride home.

3. Seal Your Clothing in Plastic Bags

Keep your clothing in sealed plastic bags inside your suitcase. This makes it harder for bed bugs to get into your clothes and travel home with you.

4. Wash Your Clothes Immediately After Returning Home

Even if you didn’t see signs of bed bugs, wash all your clothes in hot water and dry them on high heat as soon as you return home. Heat is one of the best ways to kill bed bugs and their eggs.

5. Vacuum Your Suitcase

Before storing your suitcase after a trip, vacuum it thoroughly to remove any hitchhiking bed bugs.

What to Do If You Encounter Bed Bugs in a Hotel

If you find signs of bed bugs in your hotel room, take action immediately:

1. Report the Infestation to Hotel Management

Notify the front desk as soon as possible. Many hotels take bed bug complaints seriously and will offer a room change or refund.

2. Request a Room in a Different Area

If you’re given a new room, make sure it’s at least two floors away from the infested room. Bed bugs can travel through walls and vents, so a nearby room might also be affected.

3. Inspect the New Room

Just because you switched rooms doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Check for bed bugs again using the steps outlined above.

4. Take Precautions Before Leaving the Hotel

If you stayed in an infested room, take extra steps to prevent bringing bed bugs home:

• Place your belongings in sealed plastic bags before leaving.
• Wash and dry all clothes on high heat when you return home.
• If you suspect your suitcase has bed bugs, use a bed bug spray or leave it in a plastic bag in a hot car for a few hours to expose it to high heat.

How to Handle a Bed Bug Infestation at Home

If you accidentally bring bed bugs home, you need to act quickly. A bed bug infestation can spread rapidly, so professional treatment is often necessary.

Steps to Take:

1. Identify the infestation – Look for rust-colored spots, shed skins, or live bugs in your bedding, furniture, and baseboards.
2. Wash and dry all fabrics – Use high heat to kill bed bugs in clothing, bedding, and curtains.
3. Vacuum thoroughly – Vacuum all carpets, furniture, and mattresses. Dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag outside your home.
4. Use bed bug-proof mattress covers – These can trap and starve any remaining bed bugs.
5. Call a professional pest control company – Bed bugs are difficult to eliminate without professional treatment. A pest control company can provide effective bed bug control solutions.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to check for bed bugs in a hotel can help prevent an infestation and keep your trip stress-free. By inspecting your room upon arrival, taking preventative measures, and acting quickly if you find bed bugs, you can reduce your risk of bringing these pests home.

If you suspect you have a bed bug infestation, don’t wait—contact a professional pest control company to safely and effectively kill bed bugs and prevent further issues.

Want to ensure your home stays bed bug-free? Contact a bed bug control company near you today for expert bed bug control solutions!