How to check if your hotel room has insects in 5 easy steps

  • Bed bug plague is annoying and hard to identify
  • There are some places where we will see evidence of the plague
  • You must look at all the small gaps and cracks
Insect in one hand. Photo: Pixabay

Usually when we travel, especially long distance, we end up sleeping in a hotel room most of the time. While the experience is usually good, sometimes the hotel room is not in the necessary conditions. In fact, it is not the first that has been found unpleasant surprises in your room, including insect pests and all kinds of bugs. Bed bugs, cockroaches … luckily, these 5 steps will help you check if your hotel room has insects in a few minutes.

Some of the most dangerous and least visible pests are bed bugs. Many know they are dangerous and annoying pests, however, few know where to look. Cockroaches look and you know how they are but … how are bed bugs? If you are worried about bed bugs, you may be interested to know that there are some specific points where they usually hide, and therefore it is useful to know these places when visiting a hotel or an outside house.

Rentokil, an international pest control company, has recently published a complete infographic on the places to look for in a hotel, when checking if there is a pest of bed bugs or other similar insects. It is also useful to check our own holiday home, furniture, etc. You must look at all the small holes and cracks that you see in your room, since this is where they usually hide. Look for black marks, small white eggs or the insects themselves.

Places to look at

Head board of the bed

In this area we must look in the most hidden areas: for example along the edges of the mattress and near the bed base, in the joints of the frame, between the ornaments of the headboard, etc.

Sofas and cushions

A good way to know if the room is riddled with bed bugs is to examine along the seams, inside the cushions or around the zippers.

Wardrobes and skirting boards

Here we must look at where furniture, baseboards and carpets meet the wall. Next to the door locks and drawers. In furniture hinges it is also an appropriate place.

Bedside tables

Around the objects we have on the bedside table and lamps. In the frames of the possible photographs, remains or bugs are usually accumulated. Of course, inside the drawers.

In the luggage

If you spend a few days in a hotel, you should check your bags. Check the folding handles where the fabric is wrapped around the frame. Avoid, not to go with the plague in the suitcase, place it near beds or armchairs.

Pest infographic. Photo: Rentokil