Are There Bedbugs in your Hotel Room?

By Renee Garcia

International travel has been the main route of bedbug transmission. In fact, it is believed that bedbugs got into the United States by European colonists. During those days, DDT, a very strong insecticide, was used to eradicate bedbugs. But when the pesticide was banned, incidences of bedbug infestations started increasing as well.

Bedbugs can be easily transmitted from one location to another. These insects can get into clothes, luggage, furniture, pets, shoes, and others. In fact, hotels are very much at risk into getting infested with bedbugs. This is because of high occupancy rates. In hotels, many people come and go. And these hotel guests can be carriers of bedbugs.

If you are staying in a hotel, how can you check if it has bedbugs?

Crevices and cracks on the walls and floors are usual habitats of bedbugs. If you see any crack or crevice inside your hotel room, you definitely have to check for bedbugs. You can also check the mattress. Look for cracks, red spots, and brown spots. The red spots are caused by blood from crushed bedbugs. The brown spots are caused by the bedbug's feces.

It is best to inform the manager of your observations. You also have to transfer to a different hotel. Transferring in another room in the same hotel does not guarantee that there will be no bedbugs. You see, bedbugs travel easily. Thus, of one room in the hotel has bedbugs, it is very likely that the other rooms also have bedbugs. In fact, there are incidences that bedbug infestations were found in multi-unit condominiums and hotels.

When you are in a hotel, it is best to make use of the suitcase stand instead of leaving your bags on the floor or furniture.

If you slept in a hotel room that has bedbugs, you will definitely find bite marks in the morning. Bedbug bites are pinkish to red lesions that are flat or raised. These can also be itchy. Bedbug bites form a linear pattern which differentiates them from other insect bites.

In this case, you must vacuum your bags (seams included) and every item of clothing. Wash these under very hot water to kill the bedbugs and eggs. Treat the bites with topical corticosteroids. - 30195

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here