It is a common assumption that bed bugs only crop up in cheap hotels and motels, but that is not how it works. Hotels host guests from all over the world and every walk of life, and any one of them can arrive with bed bugs hidden in a suitcase. Those bugs travel from home to hotel, or from one hotel room to the next, including the one you have just checked into.
That is why we suggest checking for bed bugs in your room whatever the star rating. A few minutes spent looking can save you the far bigger headache of carrying bed bugs home and calling in specialists to clear them out again.
How to spot bed bugs in your hotel room
Start with the mattress, then move on to the seams of any chairs and cushions. You may catch sight of small insects about the size of an apple pip, which is a bed bug. Seeing nothing here does not mean the room is clear, so keep looking.
Next, check the mattress, cushions, chairs and sheets for staining. Bed bug marks show up as brown spots roughly the size of a pencil tip, often in small clusters that resemble a little ink stain. You might also see red and brown spots, which point to live or dead bed bugs in the room.
The eggs and eggshells are harder to find, but not impossible once you know what to look for. They measure only about a millimetre across and are yellowish, which makes them stand out against white sheets or pale bedding.
If you find any of these signs, contact reception and leave the room. Before you go anywhere with your luggage, check your bags, belongings and clothing carefully to make sure nothing has climbed aboard. The last thing you want is to carry bed bugs back into your own home.
Spotted any of these signs in your own home or bedroom? Call our team and we will book a visit from our bed bug specialists at a time that suits you. We are open every day except Christmas Day, from early until late.