How to Check a Hotel Room for Bed Bugs (and What to Do If You Find Them)

A 5-minute checklist to inspect a hotel room for bed bugs, the signs to look for, what to do if you find them, and how to avoid bringing bed bugs home.

Bed bugs are every traveller's nightmare. They do not spread disease, but bites can be itchy and the thought of taking them home is unpleasant. A quick check when you arrive takes a few minutes and can save you a lot of trouble.

Why bed bugs end up in hotels

Bed bugs hitch rides on luggage, clothing and furniture. Hotels have constant guest turnover, so any hotel, at any price level, can be affected. A good hotel is one that responds quickly and properly, not one that never has an issue.

Signs of bed bugs

• Small dark or rusty spots on sheets, mattress seams or the headboard. These are droppings or crushed bugs.
• Tiny pale eggs or eggshells in crevices.
• Shed skins, pale and translucent.
• Live bugs: flat, oval, reddish-brown, about the size of an apple seed.
• Itchy bites in lines or clusters, often on exposed skin, though bites alone are not proof.

The 5-minute room check

1. Put your luggage in the bathroom or on a hard luggage rack away from the bed and walls while you check.
2. Pull back the sheets and look at the mattress seams and corners, especially at the head end.
3. Check the headboard: look behind it and along its edges if it can be inspected safely.
4. Inspect the bedside tables and drawers, especially joints and corners.
5. Look at upholstered chairs and sofas, including seams and cushions.
6. Use your phone torch to see into crevices.

If you find evidence

• Do not unpack. Keep your luggage closed and off the floor.
• Take photos of anything you find.
• Report it to reception immediately and ask to see the duty manager.
• Ask for a different room that is not adjacent to, or directly above or below, the affected room. Bed bugs can spread between rooms.
• If you are not comfortable staying, ask for a refund for the remaining nights. If you booked through a booking site, contact them too.

Read our guide on how to complain to a hotel and get results.

Avoid bringing them home

• Keep luggage zipped and off the bed and floor during your stay.
• Use a hard-shell suitcase where possible; bed bugs find it harder to hide.
• Unpack outside the bedroom when you get home.
• Wash all clothes on a hot cycle and tumble-dry on high heat, which kills bed bugs and eggs. Items that cannot be washed can be dried on high heat or sealed in bags.
• Vacuum your suitcase and empty the vacuum outside.

If you get bitten

Most bites are harmless and settle within a week or two. Avoid scratching. A pharmacist can recommend creams or antihistamines. Seek medical advice for signs of infection or allergic reactions.

Your rights

Hotels have a duty to provide accommodation that is fit for purpose. If your room has bed bugs, you can reasonably expect a move, a refund for affected nights or compensation for damaged belongings in some cases. In the UK, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires services to be performed with reasonable care and skill; in Australia, the Australian Consumer Law includes guarantees that services are fit for purpose; in the US, remedies vary by state.

Bed bugs: myths and facts

What hotels should do

A responsible hotel will:

1. Move you to a room well away from the affected room.
2. Inspect and treat the affected room professionally.
3. Offer to launder or heat-treat your clothes and luggage.
4. Consider a refund or compensation for affected nights.
5. Keep records and follow up with you.

If you booked through a booking site, report the problem there as well. Your report helps other travellers and may support a refund.

Prevention routine for frequent travellers

• Pack clothes in sealable bags or packing cubes.
• Use the luggage rack, not the bed or floor.
• Keep dirty laundry in a sealed bag.
• Inspect your luggage before you leave the hotel.
• At home, unpack in a hallway or bathroom and wash everything on a hot cycle.
• Store suitcases away from bedrooms.

Holiday rentals and hostels

Bed bugs can be found in any type of accommodation, including holiday rentals and hostels. The same check applies. In rentals, contact the host and the platform immediately, document everything, and ask about rehousing. See hotel vs Airbnb.

The bottom line

Do a five-minute check on arrival, keep luggage off the bed, and act fast if you spot signs. With a little care, bed bugs need never spoil your trip.

Prices, fees, taxes and booking rules change often and vary by hotel, date and country. Figures in this guide are typical ranges for planning, not quotes. Always confirm the total price and cancellation terms with the hotel or booking site before you pay.