It’s always nice to get away for a little while, but vacations can take a turn for the worse if bed bugs show up. Hotels are a favorite hangout spot for these pests due to the large number of guests coming and going. It’s important to take time to check for bed bugs before settling into your room. We’ve made a list of tips to help you check your hotel room for bed bugs.
1. Set Yourself Up for Success
Before looking for bed bugs, there are a few things you’ll want to do. Start by protecting your items. It’s best to place your luggage on hard surface flooring, such as tiles in the bathroom, until you have made sure bed bugs aren’t present. If this isn’t possible, then keep your items away from the bed. After securing your items, then you can start inspecting the room. Having a small flashlight can make searching easier.
2. Know What to Look For
Being able to correctly identify a bed bug is important. Bed bugs are small, reaching about 1/4" in length. They have a brown, oval-shaped body. When they feed, they will turn a reddish-hue and enlarge. Bed bug nymphs resemble adults but are smaller and lighter. When inspecting the room, you’ll also want to look for their eggs, which are small and white. Other signs of bed bugs include rusty or dark colored stains, which are bloodstains or droppings.
3. Examine the Bed
Bed bugs are most likely to be spotted on the bed because they like to stay close to their blood meals. This is where you’ll want to start your search. Check the sheets and pillowcases for bed bugs or red or dark spots. Pull back the blankets to examine the mattress, carefully looking for signs of these pests. Don’t forget to inspect the seams and edges of the mattress. You’ll also want to check the headboard for these bugs as well.
4. Examine Upholstered Furniture
The bed isn’t the only place that bed bugs could be hiding. Other pieces of furniture can house these pests. Check any upholstered furniture in the room including couches and chairs. Check the seams and in crevices. Remove the cushions to check underneath them. If there are pillows, inspect them too. Bed bugs may also be found on the underside of furniture.
5. Examine Other Furniture & Décor
Bed bugs can be found in items close to the bed, so it can help to extend your search to other pieces of furniture. These bugs can hide in nightstands, dressers, and desks. Check dresser drawers before putting your clothes in them. You’ll also want to examine the luggage rack before using it. If infestations are severe, bed bugs can spread to less commonly infested items like alarm clocks, pictures, and wall art that is positioned close to the bed.
What to Do if You Find Bed Bugs in Your Hotel Room
If you find bed bugs during your search, you’ll want to notify hotel staff immediately. Remove your items from the room and speak with an employee at the front desk. You should request to be moved to another room. It’s important that your new room isn’t adjacent to the infested one because bed bugs can easily travel between rooms. Be sure to inspect the new room for signs of bed bugs.
If you suspect that bed bugs followed you home, you’ll want to wash and dry your clothes on a high heat setting. The heat will kill the bed bugs. You can vacuum your suitcase to help remove bed bugs. Empty the contents of the vacuum into a sealed bag and place the bag in a trash bin with a secure lid.
Sharing your hotel room with bed bugs isn’t a fun way to spend your vacation. Taking the time to inspect your room for these pests will help you to avoid bringing them home with you. If bed bugs or other pests are giving you a fit, we have your back! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products for a more environmentally and family-friendly solution when used as directed.