Bed bugs are the great equalizer of the pest world. They don't care how clean your home is, how expensive your hotel room is, or how careful you are. They're expert hitchhikers, and hotels — even very nice ones — are one of the most common ways people bring them home. The good news: a few simple habits can dramatically reduce your risk.
Before You Check In
Check Recent Reviews
Before booking, search the hotel name plus "bed bugs" on Google and review sites. Recent complaints are a red flag. Keep in mind that a single old complaint doesn't necessarily mean the hotel still has a problem — hotels can and do remediate infestations — but a pattern of recent complaints is worth taking seriously.
Don't Put Luggage on the Bed or Floor
When you first enter your hotel room, put your luggage in the bathroom (on the tile floor or in the tub) while you inspect the room. Bed bugs are rarely found in bathrooms. Don't put bags on the bed, upholstered furniture, or carpeted floor until you've done a quick inspection.
Inspecting Your Hotel Room
A quick inspection takes less than five minutes and can save you a lot of trouble:
- Pull back the sheets and inspect the mattress seams, especially at the corners and head of the bed. Look for small dark spots (excrement), shed skins, or live bugs.
- Check the box spring, especially along the top edge and at the corners.
- Inspect the headboard — pull it away from the wall slightly if possible and look along the back and edges.
- Check the seams of upholstered furniture (chairs, sofas).
- Look along the baseboards near the bed.
If you find any signs of bed bugs, request a different room — ideally not adjacent to or directly above/below the original room — or change hotels.
During Your Stay
Keep luggage off the floor and bed. Use luggage racks, but inspect them first — bed bugs can hide in the joints. Keep dirty clothes in a sealed plastic bag rather than loose in your suitcase or on the floor.
When You Get Home
Unpack in the Garage or Laundry Room
Don't bring luggage into your bedroom. Unpack in the garage, laundry room, or another non-bedroom area. Transfer clothing directly to the washing machine.
Wash and Dry Everything on High Heat
Bed bugs and their eggs are killed by heat. Wash all clothing from your trip in hot water and dry on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes. Even items that weren't worn should be washed — bed bugs can transfer to clean clothes in your suitcase.
Inspect and Treat Your Luggage
Inspect your suitcase carefully, paying attention to seams, pockets, and wheels. Consider storing luggage in a sealed plastic bag between trips. Some travelers use luggage liners or spray their bags with a bed bug repellent product.
What If You Think You Brought Bed Bugs Home?
Act quickly. The earlier you catch an infestation, the easier and less expensive it is to eliminate. Signs to watch for in the weeks after travel include unexplained bite marks when you wake up, small dark spots on your mattress or sheets, or seeing small reddish-brown insects in your bed.
If you suspect bed bugs, call Turbo Pest Solutions immediately. We offer fast inspections and effective treatment programs. Don't try to treat bed bugs yourself — professional treatment is far more effective and will save you time and money in the long run.