Five places to check for bed bugs in your hotel room

"Don't let the bed bugs bite" might be a light-hearted way to say goodnight, but unfortunately, it can become a reality.

During your travels, it is possible to encounter unwanted, blood-sucking house guests in your hotel or luggage. With numerous people and pieces of luggage coming and going each day, hotels are often a primary contributor to the spread of bed bugs.

If a hotel room is infected with a family of bed bugs, the possibility of you taking them home with you is extremely high. Don’t worry! We’ve consulted with our bed bug control experts to share with you how you can check your hotel room for bed bugs in five easy steps, because the only thing you should bring home from your vacation is a nice tan.

How to know if a hotel has a bed bug problem (before you check in)

Another method to avoid bed bugs when travelling is using the bed bug registry, as this is up to date with current bed bug issues so you can stay safe.

Before you even open your suitcase, you can take a few simple steps to find out if a hotel might have a bed bug issue. One way is to search online for recent guest reviews. If other travelers have had bad experiences, that’s a clear warning sign.

You can also call the hotel ahead of your stay and ask about their pest control plan. Ask if they work with pest control experts and how often rooms are inspected. While this won't always guarantee a problem-free stay, it can help reduce your chances of running into bed bugs and reassure you that the hotel takes pest control seriously. 

How to spot bed bugs when inspecting a hotel room

When first entering a hotel room, a bed bug infestation may not be obvious at first glance. There are many signs of bed bugs in a hotel room, but before you set your bags down and dive into the bed, what should you be looking for? Take a look at the common signs below.

Bed bug signs

• Live bed bugs – Bed bugs are small, flat and oval-shaped. They have six legs and two antennae and are a reddish-brown color. Adult bed bugs are usually around . ¼ inches in size.

• Blood smears – This happens when a bed bug has been accidentally crushed after a meal and looks like small red stains. This comes from the undigested blood meal in its body.

• Dark/black stains – This comes from the dark liquid bed bugs excrete after a meal.

• Shed skin – A bed bug sheds its skin in order to grow and move on to the next stage of its life cycle. Once they have fully matured, they no longer go through this process. Sightings of shed skin usually point towards indications of a large infestation.

• Bed bug eggs –  Bed bugs can lay anywhere between 200 and 500 eggs over a two-month period, and are usually laid in batches of 10. Bed bug eggs are less than .03 inches long and are a pearly white color.

Where to check for bed bugs in a hotel room

Knowing what to look for is one thing, but narrowing down the bed bug hotspots in a hotel room can make your search less painful. When beginning your initial search, be sure to check these five locations:

1. Mattress and bed frame

Bed bugs often like to live near their food source. That’s why beds and mattresses are always a hotspot for bed bug activity.

How to check a mattress and bed frame for bed bugs:

• Fully inspect the headboard, checking in between any design patterns. Move the bed away from the wall to check behind and underneath.

• Check any and all crevices, corners, joints, carvings and any other small cracks and holes in the bed frame.

• Inspect the bedding. This includes checking the inside and outside of the pillowcases, duvet covers, and the fitted sheet, paying close attention to the seams.

2. Bedside cabinets

Furniture items near a bed, such as nightstands and bedside cabinets are also key bed bug hotspots.

How to check bedside cabinets for bed bugs:

• Look inside drawers, especially along the joints and handles.

• Inspect behind and underneath the bedside cabinet.

• Check ornaments, lamps, and picture frames.

3. Wardrobe and skirting boards

Although it is true that bed bugs are drawn to areas close to their food source, that doesn’t stop them from visiting other places in a room.

How to check wardrobes and skirting boards for bed bugs:

• Thoroughly inspect wardrobes, drawers, and other pieces of furniture. This includes inspecting behind, on top of, and beneath.

• Check in between joints, handles, and any crevices, cracks, and dents.

• Inspect the gaps between the skirting boards and walls.

4. Sofas, chairs, and throws

Because people often sit on chairs and sofas, bed bugs may hide in the seams, cushions, and frames. These spots should be checked carefully.

How to check sofas, chairs, and throws for bed bugs:

• Remove the cushions from the seats and check above and below. Look in between joints and crevices.

• Remove the covers from the cushions and check the seams, corners and zippers for bed bugs.

5. Luggage

Luggage is one of the most common ways bed bugs travel from place to place. The best practice is to place your luggage in the en-suite bathroom before you begin your checks to remove the risk of it acquiring some unexpected stowaways.

How to check luggage stands for bed bugs:

• Check where the webbing wraps around the frame.

• Inspect along the joints on the stand.

The last thing you want to think about when going on vacation is getting bed bugs. Having a good plan when staying at a hotel can help prevent you from having unwelcome guests during your travels and beyond.

Did you stay at a hotel and think you might have a bed bug problem? Contact us to get expert advice, services, and solutions on how to get rid of bed bugs in your home.

What to do if you find bed bugs in your hotel room

If you spot signs of bed bugs like stains, shed skins, or live bugs, stay calm and take action right away. First, use a flashlight to double-check hiding spots like the mattress seams, box springs, or behind the headboard. Take photos of what you find for proof.

Then, let the hotel staff know right away and ask for a new room far from the one that’s possibly infested. Avoid placing your belongings on the bed or carpet. Keep your suitcase zipped and off soft surfaces, ideally on a metal luggage rack. If you’ve already unpacked, place everything back in sealed bags until you can wash and dry your clothing on high heat.

Should I be worried about other rooms having bed bugs?

You may be wondering, if one hotel has bed bugs, do they all? Not always, but rooms next to, above, or below the infested one could be at risk. Bed bugs can hide in tiny cracks and move between spaces.

To reduce risk, ask for a room far from the original one, and don’t unpack right away. Follow the same steps as you would when first checking into any accommodation: inspect the room, keep bags off the floor, and stay alert to signs of bed bugs.

Western Exterminator: your local bed bug experts

Whether you have stayed in a hotel, apartment, or other type of accommodation, bed bugs can come home with you, so it's important to learn how to check for bed bugs in a hotel and how to inspect your luggage thoroughly when returning. If you do spot any unwanted hitchhikers, get in touch with our bed bug experts. Our residential pest control services are built on years of experience helping travelers and families deal with these tiny pests.

Our trained technicians know where bed bugs hide, how to spot them, and how to help remove them. If you are a landlord or business owner, our team also offers trusted commercial pest control solutions to protect your business.