Bed bugs are small, flat, reddish-brown insects that feed exclusively on the blood of humans and animals, and bringing them home from a hotel is the single most common way these parasitic insects spread. They are notorious “hitchhikers” because they do not fly or jump; instead, they crawl into belongings like luggage and clothing to be physically transported to new locations. A hotel stay presents a significant risk because even the cleanest establishments can host these pests, which then opportunistically transfer themselves to your baggage.
Checking for Bed Bugs in Hotel Rooms
Immediately upon entering a hotel room, you should place all luggage in a safe zone, such as the bathroom’s tiled floor or in the bathtub, before beginning any inspection. Bed bugs struggle to climb the slick, hard surfaces of a tub or porcelain tile, restricting their movement away from your belongings. The goal of this initial check is to identify any signs of activity before you settle in and potentially expose your items.
Begin your inspection at the head of the bed, the area where these insects are most likely to harbor. Use a flashlight to examine the mattress, particularly the seams, piping, and tags, as these tight spaces provide perfect hiding spots. Look for small, dark reddish-brown or black stains, which are the fecal droppings of the bed bug, often appearing like tiny ink spots. These spots are digested blood and will smear if wiped with a wet cloth.
Next, carefully peel back the corners of the mattress to inspect the box spring, paying close attention to the seams and the wooden frame. Bed bugs shed their outer skin five times as they mature, so look for pale, translucent, papery exoskeletons, which are a definitive sign of their presence. Finally, inspect the headboard, checking behind it and along the mounting points, as well as any nearby furniture crevices or electrical outlets. If any evidence is found, you should immediately notify hotel management and request a new room, preferably one not directly adjacent, above, or below the suspected room.
Travel Methods and Preventing Transport
Bed bugs are drawn to the carbon dioxide we exhale, causing them to congregate near sleeping areas. They are highly efficient at exploiting the smallest cracks and crevices, making personal belongings a simple transfer point to a new home. Taking simple precautions throughout your stay significantly reduces the chance of an infestation starting in your luggage.
You should never store your suitcase on the floor or on upholstered furniture like chairs or sofas, which offer easy access and numerous hiding spots. Instead, keep your bags elevated on a metal luggage rack, which should be inspected first, or continue to use the hard, elevated surface of the bathroom. If you are using a soft-sided suitcase, consider sealing it in a heavy-duty plastic bag to prevent any opportunistic entry.
Resist the urge to completely unpack your clothes into the hotel drawers or closets, as these areas can also harbor pests. Any clothing worn during the trip should be kept in separate, sealed plastic bags to contain any possible stowaways. This practice is especially important for worn items, which may carry the scent of the host and attract nearby bugs. Hard-sided luggage is generally preferred over fabric bags because the smooth, rigid shell offers fewer seams and less textured material for bed bugs to cling to.
Immediate Action After Returning Home
Upon arriving home, keep all travel bags outside the main living area, such as in the garage or on a porch, to prevent immediate transfer. Do not bring the luggage into the bedroom or place it on any upholstered surface inside your home. This final layer of defense relies on thermal treatment to kill any bugs or eggs that may have survived the trip.
All clothing, including items that were never worn, must be immediately washed and dried on the highest heat settings recommended for the fabric. Bed bugs and their eggs are killed when exposed to temperatures of 118 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius) for 90 minutes. A standard clothes dryer set to high heat will typically reach and maintain the lethal temperature required to eradicate all life stages of the pest.
Once the luggage is emptied, it should be thoroughly inspected with a flashlight, focusing on zippers, seams, and pockets. The exterior of the bag can be vacuumed, and the vacuum bag should be sealed and immediately discarded in an outdoor trash receptacle. For non-washable items or the suitcase itself, sealing it in a plastic bag for several months can starve any remaining bed bugs, or a professional heat treatment may be necessary.