Bed Bugs
How to Inspect a Hotel Room for Bed Bugs in 3 Minutes
Published 5/2/2026 · 4 min read
The single most effective bed-bug prevention: check before you unpack.
Step 1: Store luggage in the bathroom
The bathroom is the least likely room for bed bugs. Park your luggage there while you inspect.
Step 2: Pull back the sheets
Look at the mattress seams and the box spring corners for dark specks, blood spots, or live bugs.
Step 3: Check the headboard and nightstands
Pull the headboard away from the wall if possible. Check nightstand seams. Bed bugs hide within 5 feet of the bed 90% of the time.
If you find anything
Do not accept a room next door — bed bugs move through wall voids. Ask for a room on a different floor.