When things go well, staying in a hotel can be relaxing and luxurious. When I stay in a hotel, I like to immediately put on the fluffy white robe, order room service, and turn on a great movie. However, nothing can turn your hotel stay from wonderful to nightmarish like an infestation of bed bugs. Whether a hotel is one-star or five-star, bed bugs are always a possibility. With so many people coming and going from hotels, it’s no wonder that these businesses deal with their fair share of bed bugs. Fortunately, there are a few key things you can do upon arrival. This will ensure you’re not bringing any bed bugs home with you.
Firstly, check the hotel’s reviews. Any comments about bed bugs should be an immediate red flag. If the coast looks clear, go ahead and book your room. But before you get too comfortable, it’s important to do a thorough room sweep. Pay particular attention to the bed. All bed bugs need to thrive is a warm human to feed on (gross, I know). Most of this feeding occurs at night when someone is asleep. Before you unpack your clothing, do a thorough examination of the bed. This includes checking under the sheets and mattress protector. You can use the flashlight on your phone to help you see better. You’ll also want to examine under the mattress and along the seams. These are favorite hiding spots of bed bugs.
While you’re looking for pests, you might spot curious design features and wonder why some hotel beds have a hole at the foot.
Bed bugs can hangout in any type of upholstery, so be sure to check the seams and under the cushions of other furniture in the room. Even if you don’t see an actual bed bug, other telltale signs of their presence include dark brown blood stains on the mattress or mattress cover. If you see any mysterious stains or an actual bed bug, alert hotel staff immediately. Do not stay in the room. You can request an immediate room change, or find a different hotel altogether.
In the off chance you’ve practiced all of these precautions and, unbeknownst to you, your room had bed bugs, there are a few things you should do as you arrive home. Firstly, I leave my luggage outside. I then thoroughly shake out and remove every single clothing item. I put it immediately into the washing machine before shaking out my luggage itself. Sometimes, I will even leave my empty suitcase outside for a day or two before storing it back inside. You might think these tips are overkill. However, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to bed bugs!
