How to spot bed bugs in a hotel room

No matter what type of hotel room you stay in, or in what part of the world, there is always going to be a chance that there are bed bugs lurking in your room. But before you go making yourself comfortable, here are a few helpful tips about how to spot bedbugs in a hotel room so those creepy crawlies don’t go ruining your holiday.

Read more: How to increase your drawer space in your hotel room

1. Do an inspection

Before you even think about unpacking your suitcases, it’s best to do a general check of the room and soft furnishing to see if you can spot anything out of the ordinary. Check the mattress, the bed frame, luggage storage areas and anywhere else that might come in contact with other people’s suitcases. And pop your own luggage in the bathroom until you’re absolutely sure there are no bed bugs in site, as this is the least likely place bed bugs will be hiding.

2. Get out a flashlight

If you don’t have a flashlight, then you can always use the flashlight app on your phone to get up close and personal with the furnishings in the room. Strip the bed and get a good look down the back of the frame and underneath the mattress. Bed bugs particularly like getting into small holes and cracks, so the bed springs are a good place to look.

3. Download the app

Luckily there are apps for almost anything these days. If you’re unsure about whether you’ve spotted a bed bug or not, download one of the bed bug apps available online for some help. Some provide detailed information and even images of what to look out for.

4. Beyond the bed

They might be called bedbugs but you can find these critters anywhere around the hotel room. Don’t forget to look behind the drawers, under the phone, behind pillows and even in books and chairs.

5. Bring a plastic cover

If you’re really worried about bed bugs getting into your belongings, then you can always purchase a plastic cover for your suitcase. That way your bag stays protected and you can place your suitcase anywhere in the room, without any worry. This is particularly great if you’re worried about your bag catching bed bugs in transit, too, like in the taxi or on the plane.

Have you had trouble with bed bugs abroad? Let us know about your own tips and experiences in the comments section below.