Quick summary: Bedbugs are small, nocturnal insects that feed on human blood. They don’t spread communicable diseases, but bites can be itchy, uncomfortable, and sometimes lead to secondary skin infections or allergic reactions. Because they hitch rides in luggage, travel is a common way people encounter them. This guide explains what to look for, what to do if you find them or are bitten, and how to avoid bringing them home.
What are bedbugs?
- Small, flat, oval, reddish-brown insects.
- Active at night; hides in mattress seams, box springs, headboards, bed frames, behind baseboards, electrical outlets, luggage, and furniture crevices.
- Feeds on human blood. Usually painless while feeding, bites may appear later.
What are the signs of an infestation?
- Small, itchy welts on skin, often in a line or cluster (but not everyone reacts).
- Tiny dark or rust-colored spots on sheets or mattress seams (fecal stains).
- Pale shed skins and small eggs (white, the size of a pinhead).
- Live bugs visible in mattress seams, crevices, or furniture joints.
What do I do?
If you find bedbugs in a hotel (immediate steps):
- Don’t panic. Document: take clear photos of insects, bites, or stains.
- Alert hotel staff immediately. Ask for a different room in a different part of the building (not adjacent), or request help relocating—avoid moving belongings through common areas if possible.
- Isolate your luggage. Keep it on a hard surface (bathroom tile) or on a luggage rack away from furniture and bed. Don’t place bags on the bed or floor.
- Request housekeeping/pest control inspection and get confirmation of actions taken.
- If you move rooms or hotels, inspect the new room before unpacking.
If you discover bedbugs at home or in your belongings:
- Contain affected items: seal infested clothing in plastic bags until laundering.
- Launder all clothing and washable items in hot water and tumble dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Heat is the most reliable killer.
- Non-washable items: put in a clothes dryer on high for 30 minutes, or seal in plastic and leave in a hot, sunny spot or a freezer (at -18°C/0°F for several days).
- Vacuum luggage and furniture; empty the vacuum outside in a sealed bag.
- Call a professional pest-control service for confirmed home infestations. DIY methods rarely eliminate a full infestation.
If you need to treat bites (first aid & when to see a doctor):
- First aid: wash bites with soap and water; apply a cool compress to reduce itching and swelling.
- Over-the-counter options: oral antihistamines for itching, topical hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion.
- See a doctor if: you have signs of infection (increasing redness, warmth, pus), severe allergic reaction (widespread swelling, difficulty breathing), or many painful bites. A clinician can prescribe stronger topical steroids or medication for allergic reactions or infection.
How to reduce your risk while traveling:
- Inspect the room on arrival (before unpacking): mattress seams, headboard, bed frame, and upholstered furniture. Use a flashlight and look for dark spots, shed skins, or live bugs.
- Keep luggage closed and on a luggage rack or hard surface. Avoid placing it on beds or upholstered furniture.
- Unpack into a hard-surface area (bathroom tile) if possible, and keep clothes in your suitcase or in sealed plastic bags.
- When returning home, immediately put travel clothing straight into the washer and dry on high heat. Inspect and vacuum luggage; consider storing luggage in a sealed bag until next trip.
Additional trusted resources for support:
For supplementary information on bedbug identification, prevention and treatment, visit:
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): www.epa.gov/bedbugs
- American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA): www.ahl/bedbugsa.com
Bottom line: Bedbugs are a nuisance, especially for travelers, but they’re manageable. Early detection, careful luggage habits, heat-based laundering, and professional pest control when needed are the most effective steps to prevent spread and stop an infestation.