My best friend from childhood called me one day, completely stressed out. Her neighbors had brought bedbugs into their apartment building. Within weeks, she was living in a nightmare, a nightmare I have when it comes to bed bugs in hotels.
She had to throw out most of her furniture, get her entire building fumigated, buy a new mattress, and basically say goodbye to anything with fabric. The whole ordeal cost a lot of money and months of anxiety.
Ever since that phone call, I’ve been low-key terrified about bringing bedbugs home from our family trips. And honestly? That fear isn’t exactly irrational.
Here’s What You Actually Need to Know
About one in five Americans has dealt with bedbugs at home or in a hotel. According to surveys of pest control professionals, 68% recently treated for bedbugs in hotels and motels. Yet, only 28% of Americans actually check their hotel rooms for bedbugs before settling in.
But here’s what really surprised me: bedbugs have nothing to do with how clean a hotel is. I used to think staying at nicer places would protect us, but that’s not how it works. Surveys show that 20% of bedbug sightings happened at five-star hotels. These little hitchhikers travel on luggage and clothing, so they can show up literally anywhere.
Whether you’re booking a mid-range chain hotel, a boutique property, or a luxury resort (we stay at all of the above depending on our trip), you need to do a quick check. I promise it’s easier than you think.
My Two-Minute Bedbug Check (Because Life Is Too Short)
The internet will tell you to inspect every corner of your hotel room with a UV flashlight and examine the baseboards like a detective. That’s great in theory, but when you’ve got tired kids who need dinner and you just want to collapse on the bed yourself, you need something realistic.
Here’s what I actually do every single time we check into a hotel.
Step 1: Stash Your Stuff in the Bathroom
The second I open the door, everything goes in the bathroom. Luggage, coats, backpacks, everything. The tile floor gives bedbugs nowhere to hide, and it keeps your belongings safe while you do a quick look around.
Pro tip: If you’re worried about bedbugs hiding in hotel pillows, grab a waterproof pillow protector to bring with you. I started packing these after my friend’s experience, and they give me serious peace of mind.
Step 2: Check the Bed (That’s Really All You Need to Do)
I know all the articles say to check the curtains, the chair, the baseboards, and a million other places. But honestly? Bedbugs are found within eight feet of beds during inspections because they’re nocturnal and avoid light.
Pull back the sheets and look at the mattress seams and the area where the headboard meets the bed.
You’re looking for:
- Tiny rust-colored spots (bedbug poop)
- Small bloodstains
- Live bugs (they’re about the size of an apple seed and reddish-brown)
- Pale yellow shed skins
- Tiny white eggs
If you want to be extra thorough, peek behind the headboard and check the box spring edges. The whole thing takes me maybe two minutes.
If you want to do a super inspection? Pack a UV flashlight that can reveal bedbug evidence you might miss with the naked eye.
Step 3: Keep Your Bags Off the Bed
Even if everything looks clear, I never put our luggage on the bed or upholstered furniture. The bathroom floor works, or you can use the luggage rack (just check it first). I also keep our suitcases zipped when we’re not actively packing or unpacking.
If you travel a lot, waterproof laundry bags are worth it. I throw dirty clothes in these throughout the trip, so nothing’s touching the hotel carpet or furniture.
What to Do If You Actually Find Bedbugs
If you spot something suspicious, don’t freak out (easier said than done). Here’s what to do:
Call the front desk immediately. A decent hotel should NEVER have a bedbug problem, and in many states, it’s actually illegal for hotels to let guests stay in rooms with known infestations.
Ask for a different room at least two floors away in case the problem has spread through the walls.
And yes, you need to inspect the new room too. I know it’s annoying, but do it.
If you’re really uncomfortable or the hotel seems sketchy about it, check out and book somewhere else. Your peace of mind is worth more than the hassle of finding a new hotel at 9 PM. Use Expedia to quickly find alternative accommodations nearby.
Before you leave that first hotel, take photos of any bugs or evidence you found. Document everything. You might need it later if you discover bedbugs came home with you, or you need to file a travel insurance claim.
When You Get Home
This is where most people drop the ball, but it’s actually the most important step.
Before you even walk through your front door, sort your laundry into waterproof bags just like you would at home. Keep dirty clothes, clean clothes, and towels separate.
Then wash everything on the hottest setting your fabrics can handle. Heat kills bedbugs, not soap. The same goes for drying.
Vacuum out your suitcase when you get home, then store it somewhere away from your bedroom. I keep ours in the garage.
Why I Do This Every Single Time
The idea of bedbugs can make you never want to stay in a hotel again. But here’s the reality: bedbugs exist, they’re not going anywhere, and a two-minute check can save you a lot of stress.
Since that conversation with my friend years ago, I’ve inspected every single hotel room we’ve stayed in. It’s become an automatic action for even my kids.
And you know what? In all our years of travel, we’ve never brought bedbugs home.
The key is just being smart about it. Do your quick inspection, keep your stuff off the bed, and wash everything in hot water when you get home. That’s it.
You don’t need to become a bedbug expert or spend 20 minutes examining every surface with a magnifying glass.
Travel should be about making memories with your family, not worrying about what’s lurking in your hotel room.
Need help planning your next getaway?
Check out our vacation planner checklist to make sure you’ve covered all the bases. And if you’re flying with the family, our guide on flying with kids has tons of tips to make the journey smoother.
Safe travels, and sleep tight (without letting the bedbugs bite).
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