What to Do If You Discover Bed Bugs in Your Hotel Room

Discovering bed bugs in your hotel room can turn a dream vacation into a nightmare overnight. Understanding how to respond swiftly and effectively is crucial in such situations. This guide offers practical advice to handle this unwelcome discovery and ensure your safety and comfort.

Immediate Steps Upon Discovering Bed Bugs In Your Hotel Room

Confirm the Presence of Bed Bugs

First, identify if what you've found are indeed bed bugs. Look for small, brownish insects or signs like blood spots on sheets and tiny, dark fecal marks.

Document Everything

Take clear photos or videos of the bed bugs and any signs of their presence as evidence. This documentation is crucial for your next steps.

Avoid Moving to Another Room Immediately

Moving your belongings could spread the infestation. Instead, place your luggage in the bathtub or on a metal rack, if available, as bed bugs have difficulty climbing on these surfaces.

Communicating With Hotel Management About Bed Bugs In Your Hotel Room

Report the Issue Immediately

Inform hotel management about the issue as soon as possible. Be calm but firm, and show them the evidence of the infestation.

Request a Room Change or Refund

Ask to be moved to a room that is not adjacent to or directly above/below the infested one. If the situation is not handled to your satisfaction, request a refund.

Know Your Rights

Understand your rights as a guest. Many regions have specific regulations hotels must adhere to when it comes to bed bug infestations.

Managing Your Belongings To Prevent The Spread Of Bed Bugs

Isolate Your Luggage

Keep your luggage isolated from the infested area to prevent bed bugs from hitching a ride home with you.

Laundry and Heat Treatment

Before heading home, launder all your clothes in hot water and use a dryer on the highest setting. Heat is one of the most effective ways to kill bed bugs.

After Leaving the Hotel

Inspect Your Luggage and Clothes Again

Before bringing anything into your home, do a thorough inspection of your luggage and clothes in a well-lit area.

Consider Professional Cleaning

For non-washable items, consider professional cleaning, especially for luggage.

Monitor for Bed Bugs at Home

Keep an eye out for signs of bed bugs at home, including bites, blood spots on sheets, or seeing the bugs themselves.

Preventative Measures for Future Travel

Tips for Selecting Hotels

Research hotels in advance and read reviews specifically mentioning cleanliness and pest control practices. Call the hotel to ask if they use tested and certified bed bug proof mattress protectors, like the Bargoose BedBug Solution line of zippered mattress protectors, which feature the patented BugStop Seal.

Precautions to Take in Any Hotel Room

Upon arrival, inspect the bed, furniture, and surrounding areas for signs of bed bugs before settling in. Look to see if their mattress are protected with six sided zippered mattress encasements.

If you see any signs of infestation follow this checklist:

Finding bed bugs in your hotel room is undeniably distressing, but taking informed and decisive action can mitigate the issue. Remember, being proactive in preventing bed bugs during your travels is just as important as knowing how to deal with them if they occur.

Are you a hotelier? Contact us or give us a call at (516) 255 - 1736, email us at info@bargoosebedding.com, or ask for Bargoose Home Textiles protective bedding by name from your preferred hospitality distributor.