Staying in a hotel can be a fun and relaxing experience. However, the thought of sharing a room with unwelcome critters like bed bugs can quickly turn a dream vacation into a nightmare. Bed bugs are small, flat, oval-shaped insects that feed on human blood. They are efficient hitchhikers and can spread from room to room in hotels and other lodgings easily. While the presence of bed bugs does not indicate poor hygiene, knowing how to inspect for them can give you peace of mind during hotel stays.
Look in the bed and bedding
One of the first places to check for signs of bed bugs is in the bed and bedding itself. Strip the sheets, blankets and pillowcases and check the mattress seams, tufts and edges carefully. Look for small dark stains which could be bed bug excrement or blood spots from crushed bugs. Also check for live bugs which may look like tiny ticks or apple seeds. Feel along mattress seams for eggs, which will feel like small bumps. Inspect box springs in the same way, paying close attention to pleats and corners which offer good hiding places. Pillows should also be thoroughly checked inside the case and underneath. Bed bugs can take refuge inside pillows and may leave excrement stains on the fabric. Any bugs, eggs or staining found on the bedding are clear signs of infestation.
| Where to Look | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Mattress seams, tufts and edges | – Live bugs (look like ticks or apple seeds) |
| Box spring pleats and corners | – Dark stains from excrement |
| Inside and under pillows | – Blood spots from crushed bugs |
| Mattress and box spring seams | – Eggs (small bumps) |
Be sure to check the mattress tag for a manufacture date. Bed bugs like old mattresses best, so an older mattress is more suspect. Also look under the mattress protector if one is present.
Inspect the headboard, furniture and walls
Bed bugs will infest cracks, crevices and joints in bedroom furniture, headboards and baseboards when the infestation is more severe. Check headboards, nightstands and dressers carefully by removing drawers and lifting plates to inspect hidden areas. Look along cracks and moldings for bugs or clustering stains. Check where the wall meets the floor or ceiling. Bed bugs can fit into very tight spaces like picture frame joints or electrical outlet plates.
| Where to Look | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Headboards | – Live bugs or eggs in crevices |
| Furniture joints and cracks | – Clustered dark stains |
| Behind outlet plates | – Blood spotting along edges |
| Baseboards and moldings | – Live bugs along seams |
Signs of bed bugs around the room perimeter suggest a more severe infestation requiring professional treatment. Contact hotel management immediately if this evidence is found.
Check luggage racks, nightstands and furniture
Luggage racks and nightstands should also be examined for bed bugs. Look in drawers, metal joints and screw holes. Bed bugs will hide in purses, laptop bags or backpacks left on racks or furniture. Inside luggage is also a good hiding spot, so check your bags and belongings thoroughly. Any evidence of infestation found here means your items may spread bugs to your home.
Upholstered chairs and sofas can also harbor bed bugs in crevices and seams. Pull up cushions and inspect along seams and edges by feeling with your fingers. Bed bugs dislike light and will seek out protected areas away from the center of cushions.
Look in the bathroom
Bathrooms offer lots of humidity and hiding spots for bed bugs. Check curtain rods, curtain seams, towel racks and shelving carefully. Look under plungers and trash cans. Pull out shelving to inspect the undersides and along the edges. Bed bugs can colonize bathrooms quickly due to abundant food sources from hotel guests.
| Where to Look | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Under plungers and trash cans | – Live bugs or eggs |
| Undersides of shelves | – Dark fecal stains |
| Curtain seams | – Blood spotting |
| Towel racks | – Eggs or juvenile bed bugs |
Bathrooms can be challenging to inspect thoroughly, but are worth checking closely, especially if bed bugs have been found elsewhere in the room. Be sure to report any evidence found to hotel staff right away.
Other areas to inspect
There are a few other areas where bed bugs could be hiding:
- Under loose wallpaper edges
- Inside picture frames
- Loose carpet edges and seams
- Ceiling light fixtures
- Behind baseboard heaters
- Inside alarm clocks and phones
- Under furniture dust covers
Take time to inspect curtains, upholstered furniture and bedding in adjoining rooms as well if you find evidence of bed bugs. Adjoining rooms often become infested when a neighboring room has bugs.
What if you find bed bugs?
Notify hotel management immediately if you find bed bugs or suspicious stains or spots. Do not move to another room until it has been professionally inspected. There is a chance bugs may hitch a ride on your luggage to an uninfested room otherwise. Management may offer a new room or refund so you can book somewhere else. Be sure to launder all clothing and seal other belongings in plastic bags after staying in an infested room to prevent spreading bugs to your home.
If the infestation at the hotel is significant, leave as soon as possible and inspect or launder your belongings before going home. You may also want to contact a pest control company to confirm your luggage and clothing are bug-free before taking them inside your home after a hotel stay involving bed bugs.
Can bed bugs spread disease?
While bed bugs themselves do not spread disease, their bites can cause allergic reactions, itchy welts and skin infections if scratched. Elderly travelers or those with weakened immune systems may be more susceptible to skin infections from bed bug bites. Thoroughly clean any bites with soap and water to reduce infection risk.
How do I prevent bed bugs?
While hotel bed bugs are often beyond a traveler’s control, there are a few prevention tips to follow:
- Inspect room thoroughly on arrival, including luggage rack, bed and furniture
- Keep suitcases closed on a luggage rack, not on the floor or bed
- Vacuum suitcases when leaving to remove eggs or bugs
- Launder clothing immediately after returning home
- Seal luggage in plastic bags before taking inside house
- Inspect or freeze belongings for at least 4 days after returning
Being vigilant and knowing where to look for signs of infestation are the best defenses against bringing bed bugs home from hotel stays.
Conclusion
Bed bugs can be disturbing hotel room companions, but a thorough inspection on arrival can give you warning. Focus on the bed and bedding, including the mattress seams, headboard, box spring and pillows. Also check furniture, luggage racks and the bathroom carefully. Notify hotel staff immediately if any evidence is found and request a new room. Taking precautions can help prevent unwelcome bed bugs from turning a dream vacation into a nightmare.