Bed Bug Prevention Tips for Travelers

December 10, 2025 · Regional Pest Guide Team · bed-bugs prevention

Bed bugs have made a dramatic comeback over the past two decades. These resilient pests don’t discriminate — they infest five-star hotels just as readily as budget motels. The key to avoiding them is knowing what to look for and how to protect yourself.

Key Strategies

  • Inspect the mattress seams, headboard, and nightstand before unpacking
  • Pull back sheets and look for tiny dark spots (fecal stains) or reddish-brown bugs about the size of an apple seed
  • Keep luggage on hard surfaces or luggage racks — never on the bed or upholstered furniture
  • Use hard-sided luggage when possible — bed bugs can hide in fabric folds of soft bags

Additional Considerations

  • When you return home, unpack in the garage or laundry room and wash everything on high heat
  • Dry all clothing on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes — heat kills bed bugs at all life stages
  • Inspect your luggage thoroughly before storing it, paying attention to seams and pockets
  • Consider using bed bug proof luggage liners for extra protection

Taking Action

The key themes here are hotel rooms inspection luggage protection. Start with prevention, monitor for early signs of problems, and escalate to targeted treatments only when needed. Most pest issues are far easier to prevent than to resolve after they’re established.

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