When you book a hotel or motel room, you expect it to be clean, sanitary and pest-free. Most hospitality businesses ensure their facilities meet these expectations, but some may allow bed bug infestations to go unaddressed.
Wouldn’t it be nice to know if your room was infested before you settle in? Use the steps below to check for the presence of these pests in your accommodations.
Wait to unpack
Place your luggage and other personal items on a rack or other safe space without opening anything. Metal luggage racks and bathtubs or sinks are not attractive to bed bugs and are likely pest-free, keeping your items safe from infestation while you check the room.
Examine the bed
Although bed bugs are visible to the naked eye, they are excellent at hiding. Remove the sheets from the bed and check along the mattress seams for pests. You should also check the sheets and mattress for brown or rust-colored stains which may indicate current or prior infestations.
Check other furniture
If your hotel room has an upholstered sofa or chair, it is also wise to examine these for bed bugs as well. Pay extra attention to the seams and folds of the furniture during your inspection. If the furniture is dark or rust-colored, consider using a flashlight to differentiate pests from like-colored upholstery patterns.
Did you know you can obtain financial compensation for your bed bug bite injuries? To do so, build a chain of evidence by taking photos of the bugs and the bite wounds and obtain a diagnosis from a medical professional.
Seeking a legal opinion from an experienced bed bug attorney will also improve your odds of getting compensated for your bite injuries.