How to Spot Bed Bugs in Hotel

Jul 11
07:41

2012

Ma. Theresa Galan

Ma. Theresa Galan

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When you arrive at your hotel or resort, leave your luggage in the car or with the bellhop. Should you walk in and find a room teeming with bed bugs, you don't want your belongings sitting in the midst of the infestation.

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Bed bugs hide during daylight hours,How to Spot Bed Bugs in Hotel Articles and they're quite small, so finding them takes a little work. It's a good idea to carry a small flashlight when you travel, since bed bugs will likely be hiding in the darkest crevices of the room. An LED keychain makes a great bed bug inspection tool.

What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?

Adult bed bugs are oval in shape, and brown or reddish in color. Immature bed bugs tend to be lighter in color. Bed bugs usually live in groups, so where there's one, there's likely to be many. Other signs that bed bugs are present include tiny black spots on linens or furniture (excrement) and piles of light brown skin casings.

Bed bugs like beds, of course, though Baumann says "bed bug" is actually a misnomer, since they certainly live anywhere. However, they're especially likely to like your bed -- you, who are their meal ticket, are in bed all night, which is when they come out to eat.

Where to Look When Inspecting a Hotel Room for Bed Bugs

Start with the bed (they're called bed bugs for a reason, after all). Check the linens thoroughly for any signs of bed bugs, especially around any seams, piping, or ruffles. Don't forget to inspect the dust ruffle, a common hiding place for bed bugs that is often overlooked. Pull back the sheets, and inspect the mattress, again looking carefully at any seams or piping. If there's a box spring, check for bed bugs there as well. If possible, lift each corner of the mattress and box spring and inspect the bed frame, another popular hiding place for bed bugs.

Continue your inspection by examining any furniture or other items near the bed. The majority of bed bugs live within close proximity to the bed. If you are able, inspect behind the headboard, which is often mounted on the wall in hotel rooms. Also, look behind picture frames and mirrors. Pull out any drawers, using your flashlight to look inside the dresser and nightstand.

What Should I Do If I Find Bed Bugs in the Hotel Room?

Go immediately to the front desk and ask for a different room. Tell the management what bed bug evidence you found, and specify that you want a room with no history of bed bug problems. Don't let them give you a room adjacent to the room where you found bed bugs (including the rooms above or below it), as bed bugs can easily travel through duct work or wall cracks into adjoining rooms. Be sure to repeat your bed bug inspection in the new room, too.

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