How to Check for Bed Bugs in a Hotel Room: A Traveler's Essential Skill
I'll never forget the morning I woke up in a supposedly four-star hotel in Chicago with a line of red welts marching up my arm like tiny soldiers. That was my introduction to the world of bed bugs, and let me tell you, it changed how I approach every hotel room I've entered since.
The thing about bed bugs is they're democratic little creatures – they don't care if you're staying at a roadside motel or the Ritz. I've heard horror stories from backpackers and business executives alike. These resilient pests have made a remarkable comeback in the past two decades, and knowing how to spot them has become as essential as remembering to pack your toothbrush.
The Five-Minute Inspection That Could Save Your Trip
When I walk into a hotel room now, I don't immediately flop onto the bed like I used to. Instead, I've developed what I call my "bed bug ritual" – and no, I'm not paranoid, just prepared. The entire process takes about five minutes, which is nothing compared to the weeks of misery you'll endure if you bring these hitchhikers home.
First things first: leave your luggage in the bathroom. I know it sounds odd, but bed bugs rarely hang out on cold, hard surfaces. The bathroom is your safe zone while you play detective. Some folks use the luggage rack, but I've found evidence of bed bugs even there – they're crafty little things.
Where These Sneaky Creatures Actually Hide
Now, here's where most people get it wrong. They think bed bugs only live in beds. If only it were that simple! These insects are about as thick as a credit card, which means they can squeeze into spaces you wouldn't believe. I once found them behind a picture frame in a hotel in Boston. Behind a picture frame! Who would think to look there?
The bed is obviously ground zero for your inspection. Pull back the sheets – and I mean really pull them back. Don't just peek under the corner like you're checking if someone's sleeping. You need to examine the entire mattress seam, especially at the head of the bed. Bed bugs are lazy; they like to stay close to their midnight snack (that would be you).
Look for tiny rust-colored or dark brown spots. These could be blood stains or fecal spots – yes, I know, not the most pleasant thing to think about. You might also see small brown or reddish streaks, which are crushed bed bugs. Sometimes you'll find their shed skins, which look like tiny, translucent shells. And if you're really unlucky, you might spot the bugs themselves – they're about the size of an apple seed, flat, and brownish.
The Furniture Investigation
After checking the bed, I move on to the nightstand. Pull it away from the wall if you can. Check the screw holes, the underside, any crevices. I learned this the hard way in a hotel in Denver where the bed was pristine but the nightstand was basically a bed bug apartment complex.
Don't forget the chairs, especially if they're upholstered. Run your fingers along the seams and check under the cushions. I've started carrying a small flashlight for this purpose – the LED on your phone works, but a dedicated flashlight is better. You're looking for the same signs: spots, stains, shells, or the bugs themselves.
Here's something most people don't know: bed bugs give off a sweet, musty odor when there's a significant infestation. It's been described as smelling like coriander or overripe raspberries. If you walk into a room and something smells off, trust your nose.
The Often-Overlooked Hiding Spots
Curtains are another favorite hiding spot, particularly where they meet the rod. I always check the folds and hems. Same goes for the carpet edges where they meet the wall. These bugs are surprisingly mobile when they want to be.
Electrical outlets near the bed deserve a quick inspection too. I know it sounds excessive, but I've seen bed bugs use these as highways between rooms. Just a quick glance with your flashlight is usually enough.
Picture frames, alarm clocks, lamps – anything within about six feet of the bed should be on your radar. I once found bed bug eggs (tiny white specks, about the size of a pinhead) on the back of a bedside lamp. It's made me appreciate hotels that keep décor minimal.
What to Do If You Find Evidence
So let's say you find something suspicious. Don't panic, but don't stay silent either. Take photos – clear, close-up photos. Then march yourself down to the front desk. Don't call from the room; go in person. Be firm but polite. Any reputable hotel will move you to another room immediately, preferably on a different floor since bed bugs can travel between adjacent rooms.
If they give you any grief (and I've encountered this exactly twice in my travels), stand your ground. Ask for a full refund and find another hotel. It's not worth the risk. And whatever you do, don't try to kill the bugs yourself or spray anything – you'll just scatter them, possibly into your luggage.
The Luggage Protocol
Speaking of luggage, let's talk about keeping your stuff safe. Even if your inspection comes up clean, never put your suitcase on the bed or floor. Use the luggage rack after inspecting it, or leave your bag on a hard surface like a desk or dresser. Some travelers swear by keeping their luggage in the bathtub, which isn't a bad idea if you're only staying one night.
Keep your clothes in your suitcase rather than using the dresser drawers. I know it's less convenient, but those drawers are dark, undisturbed spaces – basically bed bug paradise. If you must use them, inspect them first with the same thoroughness you used on the bed.
The Morning After Check
Even after a thorough inspection, I always do a quick morning check. Look at the sheets for any new blood spots (gross, I know, but necessary). Check your body for bites, though keep in mind that not everyone reacts to bed bug bites, and reactions can be delayed by days or even weeks.
Bed bug bites typically appear in lines or clusters, often on exposed skin like arms, shoulders, neck, or face. They're different from mosquito bites – usually smaller, very itchy, and they tend to last longer. But here's the tricky part: some people don't react at all, while others swell up like balloons. I'm unfortunately in the latter category.
Prevention Beyond the Inspection
I've picked up a few extra tricks over the years. Some travelers pack their clothes in plastic bags within their suitcase for an extra barrier. Others bring bed bug spray for their luggage (not to use in the room, but as a preventive measure on their bags). I know people who travel with portable bed bug heaters for their luggage – that might be overkill for most, but if you travel constantly for work, it's not the worst investment.
When you get home, don't bring your luggage into your bedroom. Unpack in the garage or laundry room if possible. Wash everything in hot water and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. The heat is what kills them, not the water. Even items that can't be washed can often be put in the dryer on high heat.
The Bigger Picture
Look, I realize this all sounds incredibly paranoid. But here's the thing – bed bugs are on the rise globally. It's not about cleanliness or hotel stars or price point. I've found evidence of them in hostels in Bangkok and five-star hotels in New York. They're equal opportunity pests.
The good news is that bed bugs don't transmit diseases. They're more of a nuisance than a health hazard, though the psychological impact of an infestation shouldn't be underestimated. I know people who've developed serious anxiety about travel after a bad bed bug experience.
What's changed in recent years is that hotels are getting better at dealing with the problem. Many now do regular inspections and have protocols in place. Some use bed bug-sniffing dogs (yes, that's a real thing). But ultimately, your best defense is your own vigilance.
Final Thoughts from a Battle-Scarred Traveler
After that first encounter in Chicago, I became somewhat obsessed with bed bugs. I read entomology papers, talked to exterminators, even attended a pest control conference once (long story). What I learned is that these creatures are fascinating in their resilience and adaptability. They can survive for months without feeding, they've developed resistance to many pesticides, and they're excellent hitchhikers.
But they're not invincible. A thorough inspection, careful habits, and quick action if you find them can keep you from becoming their next meal or unwitting transportation service. Yes, it takes a few extra minutes. Yes, you might feel silly pulling apart a hotel bed. But trust me, it's worth it.
I still travel constantly, and I still love staying in hotels. I just do it smarter now. That five-minute inspection has become as routine as checking for the coffee maker or finding the thermostat. It's a small price to pay for peace of mind and itch-free mornings.
Remember, the goal isn't to become paranoid about travel. It's to be prepared and aware. Most hotel rooms are perfectly fine. But for those that aren't, you'll be glad you took the time to look. Sweet dreams, and may your travels be forever bed bug-free.
Authoritative Sources:
Doggett, Stephen L., Dini M. Miller, and Chow-Yang Lee, eds. Advances in the Biology and Management of Modern Bed Bugs. Wiley-Blackwell, 2018.
Potter, Michael F. "Bed Bugs." University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky Entomology Department, 2018. Web.
Romero, Alvaro, and Coby Schal. "Blood Constituents as Phagostimulants for the Bed Bug Cimex lectularius L." Journal of Experimental Biology, vol. 217, no. 4, 2014, pp. 552-557.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. "Bed Bugs: Get Them Out and Keep Them Out." EPA.gov, United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2023. Web.
Usinger, Robert L. Monograph of Cimicidae (Hemiptera - Heteroptera). Entomological Society of America, 1966.