{"id":9882,"date":"2024-11-12T10:39:08","date_gmt":"2024-11-12T09:39:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sereni-d.com\/?p=9882"},"modified":"2025-04-29T11:43:35","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T09:43:35","slug":"bed-bugs-in-a-hotel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sereni-d.com\/en\/our-advice\/bed-bugs-in-a-hotel\/","title":{"rendered":"Bed bugs in hotels: what to do"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With the increase in travel and the boom in tourism, bed bugs are spreading fast in many countries. According to a survey by Anses<\/a>, almost 40% of infestations are caused by a stay in a hotel or other type of holiday accommodation<\/strong>. Unfortunately, many travellers end up with these pests in their hotel room or Airbnb accommodation and don’t know what to do. What precautions should be taken? How can you avoid bringing bedbugs home? Is it possible to get a refund? Serenid explains in this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

How can you tell if there are bed bugs in a hotel?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here’s how to detect the presence of bed bugs in your hotel room:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Inspect the bed and bedding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bed bugs often hide in the nooks and crannies of mattresses, box springs and bedding seams. Start by <\/strong>checking the mattress<\/strong><\/a>, box spring and pillows<\/strong>. Look for black spots (excrement), small traces of blood, or tiny whitish eggs, which may indicate the presence of bed bugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bed bugs are visible to the naked eye and measure between 4 and 7 millimetres.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n


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2. Examine nooks and crannies and skirting boards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dark nooks and crannies are favourite hiding places for bed bugs, as they can hide there during the day. Inspect skirting boards, cracks in walls, electrical sockets and gaps in furniture<\/strong>, especially those close to the bed. You can use your phone’s torch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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3. Check furniture and curtains<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bed bugs can hide in textiles and other hard-to-reach areas. Check curtains, bed frames, headboards and upholstered furniture<\/strong> for signs of infestation<\/a>, such as dead skin or small dark spots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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4. Spot the smell of bed bugs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the event of a serious infestation, bed bugs may give off a slightly sweet or musty smell<\/strong>. This type of smell is often synonymous with infestation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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5. Examine your bites<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you notice small red bumps grouped together in a line or cluster<\/strong> on exposed areas of your body (such as your arms, legs or neck), these are probably bed bug bites. Intense itching is also a common indicator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u27a1\ufe0f See also:<\/strong> How do you recognise bed bug bites?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n


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How to know if you have bed bugs in your suitcase?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bed bugs can easily hide in suitcases and travel bags<\/strong> by inserting themselves into seams, pockets and under linings. In a contaminated hotel room or Airbnb, simply place them on the bed or near an infested area and these little blood-drinking insects will make the journey with you. Watch out for bed bugs in hiking huts<\/a> too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Here’s how to check whether your suitcase has been infested:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Carefully examine the seams, corners and folds of your luggage.<\/strong> Look for signs of infestation such as small black spots (droppings), dead skin, eggs or even adult bedbugs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Use a torch<\/strong>: shine it inside the suitcase to spot signs of bedbugs that may be hiding in dark corners.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Watch for bites<\/strong>: If you start noticing characteristic bites after your return, it’s possible that bedbugs have travelled with you.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    What to do when you get home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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    When you get home, wash your clothes immediately at a temperature of at least 60\u00b0C<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    This will eliminate any risk of contamination by eggs or bedbugs hidden in your clothes. Don’t forget to vacuum your suitcase<\/strong> before packing it. Carefully vacuum all the seams, nooks and closures. Then empty the vacuum bag or compartment into an airtight bag and dispose of it outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If necessary, steam clean your suitcases and bags<\/strong> at 120\u00b0C<\/strong>. Heat is an effective method of eliminating adult bed bugs, larvae and eggs, thus preventing any potential infestation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u27a1\ufe0f See also:<\/strong> How can you prevent bed bugs when travelling?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    How can I avoid carrying bed bugs in a hotel?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    To avoid bringing back bed bugs from your hotel stay, you need to take a few precautions. Here are some steps you can take to minimise the risk:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Elevate your luggage<\/strong>: As soon as you arrive, place your suitcases on a solid, elevated support, such as a metal luggage rack, and avoid placing them on the floor or on the bed. This will reduce the chances of bed bugs getting at your belongings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Store your belongings in airtight bags<\/strong>: You can put your clothes, shoes and other personal belongings in reusable vacuum bags.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Use anti-bug covers for your suitcase<\/strong>: Some brands offer protective covers specially designed to prevent bedbugs from getting into your luggage. These covers, often made from reinforced materials, restrict access to the seams and nooks and crannies of suitcases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Don’t store your clothes in drawers<\/strong>: keep them in your suitcase and take out only what you need.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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