How To Inspect A Hotel Room For Bed Bugs
When you check into a hotel, the last thing you want to worry about is finding bed bugs. Unfortunately, that's a likely possibility especially since bed bug infestations are on the rise across the country and even the world in recent months. So, how do you ensure that your hotel room is free of these biting pests? In today's blog post, we offer tips on how to inspect hotel rooms for signs of bed bug activity.
Keep your luggage in the hall or bathroom
Rather than carry your luggage into the room and deposit them onto the bed, keep all your bags in the hallway or in the bathroom until you're sure bed bugs are not in the room. Once you've cleared the room, you can bring them in and be sure to utilize the luggage.
Begin your bed bug inspection at the bed
Since the bed is the mostly likely hiding spot for bed bugs, begin inspecting there. Here's how:
- Pull back the sheets to inspect the mattress
Inspect the seams, tufts, and folds of the mattress. Look for adult bed bugs, nymphs, and tiny white bed bug eggs as well as dark fecal spots. - Examine the box spring
Look over the seams and folds of the box spring for all stages of bed bug development and also feces. - Inspect the headboard & bedframe
Examine cracks, crevices, and seams on the headboard and bed frame as these biting pests often hide in these areas. The tops of mounted headboards are another bed bug hot spot to check thoroughly.
Check nearby furniture
Once you've cleared the bed for bed bugs, you'll want to inspect furniture that is close to the bed or elsewhere in the hotel room.
- Check wooden furniture
Inspect nightstands, dressers, and other wooden furniture in the room. Pay close attention to joints, seams, and any cracks where bed bugs could hide. - Inspect upholstered furniture
If the room has upholstered chairs or a sofa, be sure to look them over carefully. Seams and folds are where these pests are often found so make sure you examine them carefully. - Inspect curtains & wall hangings
Although these aren't necessarily furniture, it would be beneficial to check curtains for bed bugs. These pests might also hide out behind wall art and other decorations on walls so check those spots as well.
Other spots to check for bed bugs
Although bed bugs are likely to hide close to the bed where they can access their food source quickly, that doesn't mean they won't hide out in other spots. Here are a few other places to check:
- Alarm clocks
- Phones
- Other electronic devices
- Baseboards
- Areas where wall meets floor or carpeting
- Hotel closet
- Extra pillows and blankets
- Bathroom
What to do if you find bed bugs
If you find live bugs or other indications of bed bug activity in your hotel room, contact the front desk right away. Hotel staff should address the issue promptly and help you find other accommodations at that hotel or somewhere else if you're not comfortable staying.
What to do if you bring bed bugs home
Despite inspecting your hotel room for bed bugs, there's still a chance you could bring these pests home with you. After all, bed bugs have been known to fly on airplanes, loiter at airports, and travel by taxis as well as visit stores and movie theaters. Simply put, bed bugs show up wherever people congregate. If you arrive home only to find bed bugs stowed away in your suitcase, contact Greenway Pest Solutions right away.
Effective bed bug control in Phoenix, AZ
Our local pest control company offers effective bed bug control in the Phoenix metro that includes:
- A thorough bed bug inspection
- Targeted bed bug treatments
- Follow-up service to ensure these pests have been eliminated
To learn more simply give us a call at (480) 646-4303 or request a quote below!
