Bed bugs don't care how nice the hotel is. Four-star resort, family-run motel, urban Airbnb, cottage rental — bed bug reports come from all of them. And once they hitchhike home in your luggage, you're looking at a much bigger and more expensive problem than a bad night's sleep.
Here's a five-minute check that catches them before you unpack, plus what to do if you find them.
Before You Even Bring the Bags In
The moment you enter the room, do this:
1. Put your luggage on the luggage rack or in the bathtub. Not on the bed. Not on the floor. Not on the desk. Luggage racks or the bathtub (a smooth surface bed bugs struggle to climb) keep your bags out of the danger zones during the inspection.
2. Give yourself 5 minutes for a proper check before unpacking anything.
Two minutes of prep saves you from a two-month treatment cycle at home.
The Five-Minute Room Check
Step 1: Pull back the sheets and inspect the mattress seams.
Look along all four sides of the mattress, focusing on the piping and seams. You're looking for:
- Rust-coloured stains (dried blood)
- Small dark dots (fecal spots, look like ink)
- Live bugs (flat, oval, apple-seed-sized, reddish-brown)
- Translucent shed skins
Pay extra attention to the corners and any seam that folds or creases.
Step 2: Check the box spring, especially the underside.
Lift the mattress if you can. Bed bugs love the box spring — it's more accessible than the mattress core and offers hundreds of hiding spots. Look at the seams, corners, and any tears in the fabric covering.
Step 3: Look behind and under the headboard.
Most hotel headboards attach with a couple of bolts and lift off easily. If you can't fully remove it, use a flashlight (phone light works) to check behind and inside any joints. Bed bugs frequently hide here because it's undisturbed.
Step 4: Inspect the nightstand.
Pull the drawers all the way out. Look at the joints, the underside of the drawers, and inside the drawer runners. Also check behind the nightstand where it meets the wall.
Step 5: Check any upholstered furniture.
Chairs, couches, and cushioned benches. Look at the seams, under the cushions, and along the base of any upholstered piece near the bed.
If nothing turns up in these five spots, the room is very likely clean.
Bonus Spots for a Thorough Check
If you want to be extra careful (worth it in high-risk locations):
- Behind picture frames near the bed
- Along baseboards and outlet covers within 6 feet of the bed
- Curtain folds near the bed
- Inside the closet, especially in unpolished wooden joints
Bed bugs can travel up to 20 feet from their hiding spot to feed, but they prefer to stay close. Anything within a body's length of where you sleep is prime real estate.
If You Find Something
Don't panic. Don't confront the front desk in the hallway. Do this:
1. Take photos. Document what you found with your phone. Timestamp is automatic.
2. Ask for a different room — in a different part of the building. Same wing = high risk of the same problem. Ask for at least one floor and one wing away.
3. Check the new room the same way. Don't assume it's clean because the last one wasn't.
4. If nothing safe is available, leave. Most hotels will refund a stay for a documented bed bug complaint. If they won't, this is what credit card disputes are for.
What to Do When You Get Home
Even if the check was clean, take these precautions when returning from any trip:
1. Unpack in the garage or on a hard surface — not the bedroom. Concrete floor, tile, or a large tarp.
2. Wash all clothing immediately. Everything worn or packed, whether it was actually worn or not. Wash on the hottest setting the fabric will tolerate.
3. Dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Heat is what kills bed bugs and eggs — not the wash.
4. Vacuum the suitcase. Interior and exterior. Focus on seams, pockets, and wheels. Empty the vacuum into a sealed bag and dispose of it outside.
5. Store the suitcase somewhere non-bedroom. Garage, basement, closet away from the bedroom.
This routine takes maybe 45 minutes total. It's the difference between "possibly exposed" and "definitely home free."
Signs You Brought Some Home
Even with good precautions, bed bugs occasionally hitchhike. Signs to watch for in the weeks after travel:
- Small itchy bites in lines or clusters on skin exposed while sleeping
- Rust-coloured spots on sheets or pillowcases
- Tiny dark dots in the corners of the mattress
- A faint sweet, musty smell in the bedroom
Any of these, and it's worth a professional inspection.
How Summit Handles Travel-Related Bed Bug Cases
Bed bugs from travel are one of the most common bed bug calls Summit gets in Guelph and KW during summer. What we do:
- Full inspection to confirm the presence and extent
- Targeted treatment — usually more limited than resident-established populations
- Follow-up to confirm elimination
- Prevention guidance for future travel
Caught early, travel-related bed bug issues are typically resolved in 2–4 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bed bugs more common in cheap hotels?Not really. Bed bug incidents happen at every price point. Reviews mentioning bed bugs are a better guide than price.
Can I bring bed bugs home just by sitting on hotel furniture?Uncommon but possible. Bugs hitchhike primarily via luggage, but any prolonged exposure to infested furniture creates some risk.
What about Airbnb rentals?Same check applies. Airbnb properties often have less rigorous inspection routines than hotels, so it's worth being extra thorough.
Can I use a bed bug spray on my luggage before travel?Some sprays are labelled for this. They're marginal at best and can damage luggage. The room check and post-trip laundry are more effective.
Enjoy Your Trip, Not the Aftermath
Five minutes of prep at the hotel and 45 minutes of routine at home is the whole prevention plan. Summit is here for the rest.
Call (226) 780-6446 or request a quick estimate today.