HOW TO CHECK FOR BED BUGS IN A HOTEL

Just the thought of bed bugs in your bed is enough to make most people itch! They are everywhere, they’ve been found in retail stores, movie theaters, ambulances, office buildings, homes and of course, hotel rooms. They don’t discriminate, bed bugs like the beds in a 5 star hotel just as much as beds in a 2 star hotel. If there are people, bed bugs are happy and fed.

Because these insects are hitchhikers, it is very easy to pick them up while traveling. When you are on vacation, make sure you check your hotel room thoroughly to ensure these sneaky creatures don’t follow you home.

We recommend a quick yet thorough check of your hotel room, which can significantly reduce the risk of bringing bed bugs home with you. Here’s how to check your hotel or motel room for bed bugs: 

1. Place your luggage on a hard surface

2. Examine the mattress and box springs

3. Check the headboard

4. Inspect upholstered furniture

5. Scrutinise draws, nightstands and closets

Follow these simple steps to protect yourself and your belongings from a potential infestation:

• Do not place your suitcase on hotel beds while traveling
• Wash and dry all clothing on high heat when you return home from vacation – whether you wore it or not
• Store your suitcase away from sleeping areas – think garage or basement
• Do not purchase second-hand furniture
• Check your children’s backpacks, coats and other belongings when they return home from school, camp or other location

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A HOTEL HAS BED BUGS?

Identifying a bed bug problem starts with a close visual inspection. Bed bugs leave behind clues such as dark brown or rust-colored stains on bedding, mattress seams, and furniture caused by their droppings or crushed bodies. 

Additionally, small, pearly white eggs or shed skins may be found in crevices. 

When checking into a hotel, it’s essential to conduct a thorough inspection before settling in. Click here to check out how to best detect bed bugs – including the common signs of bed bugs.

WHERE ARE THE COMMON BED BUG HIDING PLACES IN HOTEL ROOMS?

Bed bugs are experts at hiding in cracks, seams, and crevices. Here are the most common places to look for them in a hotel room:

WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF GETTING BED BUGS IN A HOTEL?

Bed bugs can be found in hotels of all types, but the odds of encountering them depend on factors like location, cleanliness, and guest turnover. Urban areas and popular travel destinations tend to have higher rates of bed bug activity due to frequent travel and the movement of luggage between locations.

Even well-maintained, upscale hotels are not immune. Bed bugs spread by hitchhiking on personal belongings and high guest turnover can bring infestations. A recent survey conducted by Sleep Doctor found that 1 in 7 US travelers encountered bed bugs this past year (2024) and – Forbes reports – 20% of those sightings happened in 5 star hotels.

Additionally, research from the University of Kentucky shows that bed bugs are highly adaptable and can survive in a range of environments, making even the cleanest hotel vulnerable to serious infestation.

Hotels with regular inspections and strong pest control protocols can lower the odds, but for travelers, a quick room inspection upon arrival is a smart precaution.

CAN YOU SEE BED BUGS WITH THE NAKED EYE?

Yes, adult bed bugs are visible to the naked eye. They are about the size of an apple seed—flat, oval, and reddish-brown. However, their eggs and newly hatched nymphs are much smaller and harder to detect without magnification.

CAN YOU FEEL BED BUGS CRAWLING?

In most cases, you won’t feel bed bugs crawling on you. They tend to move quickly and stealthily, feeding when you’re asleep. However, some people may experience a slight tickling sensation when a bed bug is moving on their skin.

WORRIED ABOUT BED BUGS POST-TRAVEL?

If you suspect you’ve carried bed bugs home from your travels, act quickly. Contact our expert team at Terminix Wil-Kil for bed bug inspection and treatment.