Bed bugs are a menace, and learning how to search your hotel room for them before you collapse into bed is critical to avoid taking them home with you. This video shows you best way to do just that, and to make sure you get a good night’s rest away from home. Contrary to popular belief, don’t walk into your hotel room and put your stuff on the luggage rack. People often say you should, as an alternative to putting your stuff on the bed, but the video, from the University of Maine’s YouTube channel explains it’s better to put your stuff in the bathroom or bathtub while you search. The luggage rack is usually far too close to the bed, and since bed bugs are usually within 20 feet or so of their host, if they’re in your hotel room, they’re probably on the luggage rack too.Once you have your stuff in the bathroom, head over to your bed and shine a flashlight (or any light, the one from your phone will do in a pinch) down and around the headboard to see if you spot any bugs.
Move the headboard around a bit if you can (some hotels have them attached to the walls, so around the edges and near the floor is fine.) Then pull up the sheets and check the top and bottom piping of the mattress. Right in the crease where the piping and the body of the mattress meet is a common hiding spot. Look under the mattress where the box spring or bed frame meet as well. Next, check the mattress pad (not the sheets, pull them out of the way—they may have been changed recently) for blood spots you wouldn’t see through a fresh, clean sheet. Then, look at the nightstand next to your hotel bed. Pop out the drawer and inspect the trim and joinery—it’s another good hiding spot that’s often undisturbed but close to a sleeping host. Finally, check that luggage rack. The fabric is flexible and has plenty of give, so bed bugs can hide in there too. The full video shows you exactly how to do all of this, and it has closed captioning if you want to watch without the audio.It’s a lot of work, but that effort when you check in and enter your room will make sure you don’t bring the little nasties home with you after a business trip or an otherwise pleasant vacation.
Keep in mind that bed bugs are highly portable, and can hide anywhere—four-star hotels or hostels alike—so no lodging is “too good” to have them. How to Look for and Avoid Bed Bugs in Hotel or Motel Rooms | University of Maine (YouTube) Thanks to Dan for the tip!Need to know how to find bed bugs in your home or hotel room? Let's walk through the inspection processIt's time to find out if you have bedbugs... Before you can check for bed bugs in your home or hotel, you need to know what bed bugs look like, other signs you have bed bugs and where they hide so you know where to If you follow these instructions, step-by-step, you will be just as likely as to find bed bugs (if they are present) as a professional. This is the most likely place you'll find bed bugs because they like to hide close to where they feed. Here's how to find bed bugs there: This includes sofas, love seats, recliners, easy chairs, chaise lounges, and ottomans.
Here's how to find bed bugs in these items: also use the directions below for coffee tables, end tables and desks in other rooms of the house.)You've checked the top 92.6% of places where bed bugs are found in residences with infestations according to a study conducted by the Entomology Department at the University of Kentucky. You also have all the skills you need to inspect the other places you might find bed bugs. You will find a list of more places to look for bed bugs here... IMPORTANT NOTE: If at any point you find a live bed bug, STOP. Your inspection is done for now and you need to start working on your bed bug pest control plan. Don't jump the gun and grab for a bed bug spray can or fogger! That'll just make things worse...much worse. Head over to the bed bug pest control section to learn what to do next. Obviously when you're inspecting for bed bugs in a hotel or friend/relative's guest room, you have to make some modifications. You really can't tear the bed apart in a hotel room.
And you certainly don't want the folks you're visiting to come-a-knockin' asking “everything okay in there?” Hotel rooms can present some special challenges because the bed frame and head board are usually affixed to the floor and wall.Generally you won't have access to the the box spring (if there even is one) so your efforts will need to focus on the mattress itself, the head board and anything within about 5 feet of the bed.Also, don't forget the luggage rack (never put your stuff there) and make sure to check any upholstered furniture like love seats and chairs. When you're staying with folks you know, discretion is the word of the day. You can hit the most common bed bug hiding places without making a ruckus. mattress, visible parts of the box spring, and the headboard. Consider how often/recently the room is likely used. closed up since the last time uncle Chuck came through 6 months ago, chances are slim there will be bed bugs present (they would have
migrated to where people in the house sleep or lounge). used as a reading room, take a look at that big comfy upholstered chair...you get the idea.Whether you're on the road or at home, make sure you know how to find bed bugs without helping them spread. The last thing you want is for some of these little buggers to hitch a ride on your clothing while you'reYou're going to be getting up close and personal with their hideouts, so this is a real possibility. Here are five ways to help you find bed bugs without letting them spread... How to Find Bed Bugs Enter your email address below, and I'll send you the link to download it for free right away! Want to know more about it first? You can also find the most recent content and news updates on the Bed Bug Answers blog... Search the web via Google: FTC Disclosure: This site contains some advertising and affiliate links. That means if you click and/or buy through those links, the merchant may pay a small commission to support this site - at no extra cost to you.