When you’re traveling—whether for business or a well-earned vacation—the last thing you want to deal with is bed bugs. These tiny, elusive pests can be found even in the cleanest and most expensive hotels, and once they hitch a ride home in your suitcase, they’re incredibly difficult to get rid of. That’s why a quick hotel inspection is essential before you settle into your room.
This guide will walk you through what to check before you sleep, how to spot early signs of an infestation, and simple steps you can take for bed bug prevention while you travel.
Why Bed Bugs Are a Concern for Travelers
Bed bugs don’t discriminate. Regardless of whether you are staying at a high-end resort or a low-cost hotel, your room can be in danger. These pests are expert hitchhikers, often moving from one hotel guest to the next via luggage, clothing, and furniture. Once inside your home, they hide in cracks and crevices, feed at night, and are notoriously hard to eliminate without professional treatment.
The cost of an infestation goes beyond inconvenience. It can lead to ruined furniture, sleepless nights, and even skin infections due to bites. That’s why proactive bed bug prevention during your travels is so important.
How to Inspect Your Hotel Room for Bed Bugs
It takes just a few minutes to do a proper hotel inspection, and it could save you a major headache later on.
Start with the Bed Area
Bed bugs like hiding around places where people sleep. Pull back all of the bedding first, then examine the mattress, paying particular attention to the edges and seams. Use your phone flashlight if needed.
Look for:
- Small brown or reddish stains (from crushed bugs or droppings)
- Tiny white eggs or shed skins
- Live bed bugs, which are flat, oval-shaped, and reddish-brown
Don’t forget to check the box spring and bed frame, especially the joints and corners where bugs like to hide.
Examine Furniture and Upholstery
Chairs, headboards, and other upholstered furniture near the bed can also harbor bed bugs. Run your hand along seams and edges. Check under cushions and behind any fabric that overlaps or folds.
Look inside drawers and behind nightstands, too. Bed bugs are small and love to hide in dark, undisturbed places.
Inspect Other Hiding Spots
Bed bugs can also be found behind picture frames, inside alarm clocks, around electrical outlets, and even behind the headboard (which may be attached to the wall). Take a quick glance at these spots during your hotel inspection, especially if you’ve seen signs near the bed.
Also, check the luggage rack—particularly around the straps and where the fabric meets the frame.
Precautionary Measures During Your Stay
Even if you don’t find visible signs of bed bugs, it’s still smart to take steps toward bed bug prevention during your stay.
- Don’t put your bags on the floor or bed; instead, place them on the luggage rack or another sturdy surface.
- Avoid unpacking clothes into hotel drawers.
- Use resealable plastic bags for dirty laundry.
- Keep suitcases zipped up when not in use.
By taking these easy steps, you can lessen the likelihood that bed bugs may infiltrate your possessions.
What to Do If You Find Bed Bugs
If you see signs of bed bugs during your hotel inspection, don’t panic—but act quickly.
- Take photos of what you’ve found. This can be helpful if you need to document the issue with hotel management.
- Notify hotel staff immediately and request a new room—preferably not next door or directly above or below the affected one, as bed bugs can travel through walls.
- Consider leaving the hotel altogether if you’re uncomfortable staying there. Most hotels will offer a refund or help you find alternate accommodations in these situations.
Preventing Bed Bugs from Coming Home with You
Even after a bug-free stay, it’s smart to take preventive steps once you get home.
- Unpack luggage in a garage, entryway, or laundry area—never your bedroom.
- Vacuum your suitcase thoroughly, including seams and pockets.
- Even if you did not wear all of your clothes, wash them all in hot water and dry them on high heat.
- Store your suitcase away from bedrooms and living spaces.
This post-travel bed bug prevention routine can dramatically lower your chances of dealing with an infestation.
Travel Smart and Bite-Free with These Hotel Room Checks
Bed bugs are a growing issue in hotels across the world, and no traveler is immune. But with a few minutes of awareness and a careful hotel inspection, you can protect yourself and your home from these frustrating pests. Remember: spotting the signs early, taking simple precautions, and following up after your trip are your best defenses against bed bugs.
Don’t let the fear of bed bugs ruin your trip—just stay alert, and know what to check before you sleep.
Don’t let bed bugs follow you home—trust Martin Exterminating to keep your space pest-free. Whether you’re returning from travel or suspect a problem, our team is here to help. Call us today for fast, reliable bed bug inspections and treatments backed by decades of trusted experience. Sleep easy again!
