Why Hotel Bed Bug Checks Matter
Bed bugs are elite hitchhikers. They don’t care whether a hotel is five-star or budget — they travel in luggage and clothing regardless of the establishment’s rating. A thorough 5-minute room inspection before you unpack can save you from bringing an infestation home.
Before You Begin: Where to Put Your Luggage
Don’t put your bag on the bed, floor or upholstered furniture. Place it on the luggage rack in the bathroom — bed bugs rarely infest bathroom tiles. If there’s no rack, keep your bag in the bathtub while you inspect.
What to Look For
Bed bugs and their signs are small but visible to the naked eye. You’re looking for:
- Live bugs: Adult bed bugs are 4–5mm, flat, oval and reddish-brown. They resemble apple seeds. Nymphs (young) are smaller and translucent
- Dark spots: Bed bug excrement appears as small dark brown or black dots — similar to a felt-tip pen mark
- Blood stains: Rusty or reddish stains on sheets or mattress seams from crushed bugs
- Shed skins: Pale, translucent exoskeletons in seams and crevices
- Eggs: Tiny (1mm), white and clustered in seams — difficult to see without a torch
How to Inspect the Room
1. The Mattress
Pull back the bed linen and inspect:
- The mattress seams — especially the piping along the edges
- The area between the mattress and box spring
- The fabric tag (a common hiding spot)
- Any tufts, buttons or folds in the mattress surface
2. The Bed Frame and Headboard
- Inspect joints, screw holes and crevices in the bed frame
- Check behind and around the headboard — pull it away from the wall if possible
3. Upholstered Furniture
- Check the seams and underside of sofas, armchairs and bench seating
- Look in the gap between the cushion and the frame
4. Walls and Skirting Boards
- Check the wall near the bed, especially around picture frames, electrical outlets and peeling wallpaper
If You Find Signs of Bed Bugs
Request a different room — ideally not adjacent to or directly above/below the original room, as bed bugs can travel through wall voids. Report the findings to the front desk. If no alternative is available and you must stay, keep your luggage in sealed bags in the bathroom.
When You Get Home
- Unpack in the garage or laundry — not the bedroom
- Wash all clothing on the hottest cycle suitable for the fabric
- Place items that cannot be washed (shoes, bags) in a sealed black plastic bag and leave in a hot car for several hours — heat above 50°C kills bed bugs at all life stages
- Inspect your luggage thoroughly before storing it
If you develop unexplained bites after travel or suspect you may have brought bed bugs home, contact Pestyologist immediately for an inspection. Early detection prevents a full infestation. Contact us today.