How to Find Bedbugs in a Hotel

By Renee Garcia

Bedbugs were brought to the United States by the early colonists from Europe. These were eradicated by using very strong insecticides like DDT. But DDT was banned years after. This caused the resurgence of bedbugs. And increasing international travel has also caused increased incidence of bedbug infestations.

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.

Once you have established that there is a bedbug infestation in your hotel room, you must inform the hotel manager at once. Do not accept an offer to be transferred to another room. Instead, stay in a different hotel. You cannot risk staying in the same hotel because bedbugs can be transmitted quite easily. In the United States, many reports of bedbug infestations in multi-unit hotels have been reported.

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 happened to sleep in a bedbug-infested hotel, chances are you got bitten while sleeping. In the morning, you will find bedbug bites. These bites are itchy, pink to red welts that can be raised or flat. Bedbug bites also form a characteristic linear pattern.

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. - 30446

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