Upon arriving at a hotel and being escorted to your room, your initial concern may not be the potential presence of unwelcome critters lurking in the shadows. However, one hotel employee has emphasized the importance of immediately identifying these unwanted guests upon check-in.
Halee, who shares content on TikTok under the handle @haleewithaflair, warned about the detrimental impact bedbugs can have on travelers’ vacations and shared a simple technique to detect them before settling in for the night.
The process involves turning off all lights, a step that may not be instinctive when you are excited about your trip. Halee’s advice came after witnessing a couple who woke up with bedbug bites during their hotel stay.
She recommended checking under the covers, particularly in the corners and creases, using a flashlight on your phone. Travelers should carefully inspect the folds at the bed’s corners as bedbugs tend to hide there. Halee also advised examining underneath the mattress and mattress pad for any signs of these pests, such as blood spots.
To prevent bedbugs from hitching a ride in suitcases, tourists are encouraged to inspect for these insects before unpacking and avoid placing luggage on the bed. Instead, it is advisable to keep luggage on a stand or near the room’s entrance.
Experts suggest washing all vacation attire immediately upon returning home to eliminate any potential pests. Additionally, travelers should check ironing boards and curtains for bedbugs.
Bedbugs are nocturnal creatures, so extinguishing the lights may prompt them to emerge in search of prey. Their bites typically manifest as red, itchy marks arranged in clusters. Some individuals may have allergic reactions to these bites.
If bedbugs are not visible, travelers should look for red or rusty stains on the mattress, indicating crushed bugs. Dark spots resembling marker pen stains could be bedbug droppings, commonly found in furniture seams.
While bedbugs can withstand low temperatures, they perish when exposed to temperatures of 45 degrees or higher. If bedbugs are suspected in your hotel room, promptly inform the hotel staff.
By being vigilant and following these precautions, travelers can safeguard themselves from potential bedbug infestations during their stays.