BedBugs in Hotels

" Bedbugs in hotels is becoming a problem across the world, as the parasites are usually carried by travelers from one location to another. Bed bugs have been found in all classes of hotel, the only difference is that a more expensive hotel might be more vigilant about training staff to be on the lookout for bed bugs. Avoiding bed bugs involves inspecting the room before bringing suitcases into a room, treating luggage, packing smart, and protecting your belongings. Many frequent travelers are buying their own heating unit that ensures that luggage is bed bug free when they return home. "

The bed bugs in hotels problem is widespread, with reports of bed bugs in high end hotels such as the Waldorf Astoria in New York and lower cost motels. Bedbugs are a global problem, so any traveler needs to understand how to protect themselves from bringing home bed bugs when traveling.

As a first step, you can check the Bed Bug Registry and Trip Advisor to see if the hotel you are planning a to visit has had a bed bug problem. Even if a bed bug problem is reported, you have no way of knowing if a hotel has treated the problem. All you can do is ask or take the bed bug protection precautions listed below.

Pictures Bed Bugs
Bed Bugs change in Appearance Depending on Where They Are in Their Life Stage and Before/After Blood Meals

Use Hard Sided Luggage to Avoid BedBugs in Hotels

Bed bugs cannot leap onto your luggage. They actually crawl onto it when the luggage is next to an infested area such as in a hotel room, or even another piece of luggage where bed bugs are hiding, such as in the cargo area of a plane.

Hard sided luggage and luggage without zippers provide fewer opportunities for bed bugs to hitch a ride. Fabric covered luggage has more places for a bed bug to hide. The insects are very thin and can hide in spaces as small as the width of a credit card.

Bed Bugs in Hotels Can Crawl onto Your Luggage and Hide in the Zipper or Other Seams

Treat Your Luggage Before Leaving Home

One easy precaution is to treat your luggage with a pyrethroid based spray before leaving home. A spray such as JTEaton Luggage and Mattress Spray will provide 3 to 6 weeks of protection.

Spray all possible bedbug hiding places before packing your luggage as described in this video produced by the manufacturer.

You can also avoid bedbugs in hotels by:

Purchase a Bed Bug proof luggage liner: These bed bug luggage liners are tested to keep bed bugs out of your clothes.
Pack in Ziploc Big Bags: Ziploc Big Bags are an inexpensive way to keep the bedbugs in hotels out. They can even be used to entirely cover a small carry on in a hotel room.

A Ziploc Big Bag Can Be Used to Protect a Small Carry On from Bed Bugs in Hotels. Keep luggage away from walls and furniture and up on luggage racks.
Hang Clothes in the Bathroom Shower: The bathroom is likely to be bed bug free. Hanging clothes on the shower bar will reduce the chance of bed bugs infesting your clothes.

How to Inspect a Hotel Room for Bed Bugs

When you arrive at the room, leave your luggage in the entry way or just outside the room. Peel back any linen on a corner of the bed down to the mattress itself. Bed bugs hide in this areas such as along seams and under the mattress label.

Look for unusual markings such as red stains or brown fecal marks as indicated in the mattress picture below. If you see marks of any kind call the manager and ask for another room.

You can also check other areas near the bed for bedbugs in hotels. Inspect areas such as the corners of the box spring, the bed frame, head board, night tables and lamps near the bed.

Clean Hotel Mattress with No Bed Bug Stains

Bed Bug Mattress Stains

Bed Bug Protection When Sleeping

Bed bugs bites almost always occur at night, as they are drawn to the carbon monoxide you exhale while sleeping. While there are no 100% fool proof methods, there are two things you can do to minimize the chance of being bitten:

Wear Tight Fitting Clothes: Bed bugs bites tend to occur on skin surfaces exposed during sleep. Wearing socks, tight to the skin long sleeve shirts etc minimize exposed skin areas.
Try a Bed Bug Repellent: A new to market all natural Bed Bug Repellent claims that it will repel 98% of bed bugs. While not independently tested, the product is from a reputable company that uses plant extracts to kill bed bugs. It is skin safe and made from all natural ingredients.

Bed Bug Protection When You Return Home

When returning home, inspect the seams of your luggage for small white specs (bed bug eggs are white, pear shaped and the size of a poppy seed), and for bed bugs themselves. You can see bed bugs with the naked eye, although identifying nymphs or baby bed bugs is easier with a flashlight and magnifying glass.

If the luggage is clean, bring it directly to the laundry room. Wash clothes in hot water followed by 20 to 30 minutes in the dryer. This will kill all bed bugs and bed bug eggs.

Many frequent travelers are investing in a PackTite portable heat chamber. It is small heat chamber that can hold a suitcase. The chamber is heated to the temperatures required to kill bed bugs and bed bug eggs.

A Packtite is a foldable personal heat chamber that will heat luggage and its contents to the point (about 120F) that all bed bugs and bed bug eggs are killed. It is 100% effective and perfect for frequent travelers worried about bringing home bedbugs in hotels.