How do I check my motel/hotel room for bed bugs?

Bed bugs are generally only a problem in hotels/motels, hostels, and other high traffic establishments. Infestations get started when a guest accidently brings a few bed bugs that have hitched a ride on their belongings into a room. These bugs were probably picked up at the last place the guest stayed overnight. Bed bug infestations develop slowly so if rooms are cleaned adequately between guests the chance of an infestation is greatly reduced. Unfortunately many of these rooms are not cleaned very well and the bed bugs can become established.

It takes only a few minutes to check a room for bed bugs before moving in for the night. Lift up the corners of the bed sheets and look for dark spots or stains (bed bug droppings) along the mattress seams. Next, run your fingers along the underside edges of bedside tables and along the back edge of the headboard if it is not attached to wall. Wear a clean dust mitt if you are squeamish. Any evidence of bed bugs should be reported immediately to the front desk and you should ask for a new room. Don't get carried away with this inspection. Most rooms don't harbor bed bugs but a quick look around won't hurt.

The second indication left by bed bugs is a distinctive room odor produced by the bugs themselves. The odor is sometimes described as "sickly sweet" or even that of fresh raspberry. The odor will probably only be detectable in a heavily infested room.