Keep Your Luggage Safe
After arriving where you are staying (hotel, resort or BnB), place your luggage in the bathtub immediately after entering the room. The last thing you would want is to have your belongings sitting in the middle of the infestation.
Bed bugs typically hide during daylight hours, and they’re quite small, so finding them takes a little work. It’s a good idea to carry a flashlight when you travel, since bed bugs like to hide in dark crevices throughout the room.
Where to Look When Inspecting Your Room for Bed Bugs
Start with the bed. Leave the linens on the bed and thoroughly check for any signs of bed bugs (blood spots or husks). You want to look around all seams and piping. 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 all seams and piping. If possible, lift the mattress and box spring and lean them against the wall (the underside of a box spring is a common place to find bed bugs). Inspect the bed frame, especially in any bolt holes securing the side boards to the head board. This is 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 a few feet of the bed). If you are able, inspect behind the headboard, although they’re often mounted on the wall in hotel rooms. Also, look behind picture frames and mirrors, and pull out any drawers in dressers and nightstands.
What to Do If You Find Bed Bugs in Your Room
Immediately inform the front desk and tell them what bed bug evidence you found. Try to not get a room adjacent to the room where you found bed bugs, including the rooms directly above or below it. Be sure to repeat your bed bug inspection in the new room, too.
While You’re Staying in Your Room
Just because you didn’t find any bed bugs doesn’t mean they aren’t there. It’s still possible your room could have bed bugs, so take a few extra precautions. Never place your luggage or your clothing on the floor or bed. Store your bags on the luggage rack, the top of a dresser, or on the bathroom counter. Keep any items not in use sealed in Ziploc bags.