Millions of people stay in hotels or similar accommodations every year, whether it’s just for a night or a full vacation. No matter the reason for the stay, it’s safe to say that a hotel should be somewhere clean and safe to relax after a long day. Therefore, the last thing on anyone’s itinerary is to discover bed bugs. However, it’s a very real problem that can wreak havoc on your vacation, especially if they hitch a ride back home.
Blood and Feces Stains
The first place to check for bed bugs is on the bed and other furniture. These tiny blood smears are caused by feasting bed bugs or accidental bed bug death. As well as blood, you may see traces of bed bug feces, which look like black spots along the bed. The mattress is a bed bug’s favorite place to hang out, as it gives them easy access to human flesh.
Live Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are relatively small, but they can grow up to 7mm, which is large enough for anyone to see. To identify bed bugs from other creepy crawlies, you’re looking for red/brown bugs with 6 legs and two antennae. Bed bugs can’t fly, so if the bug you see has wings, it’s not a bed bug.
You are less likely to see a live bed bug in a hotel because they’re masters of hide and seek. However, if you have a look at the mattress seam and other creased areas, you may see live ones crawling around.
A Musty Odor
When a hotel bed bug infestation is left to fester, it produces a musty odor. However, before storming over to the hotel reception, you should check for other signs of bed bugs. After all, a musty smell may also be a sign of mold in the room.
Evidence of Eggs
Bed bugs are pretty small, but you can often see their eggs littered in a hotel room with an infestation. Once a female beg bug has feasted on human flesh, it often lays 1-7 eggs per day over 10 days.
The best place to start checking is the mattress, but you can find them on other soft furnishings like sofas. You need to keep an eye out for small pale eggs around 1-4mm, which can be difficult to see. If you find eggs, it’s safe to say there are a lot more bed bugs around.
Suffering Bed Bug Bites
People prepare themselves for accidents while on vacation, but the last thing they expect is being injured by bed bugs, which feed on human flesh during the night and leave itchy bites behind. If you’ve failed to spot any of the above infestation signs, this will be your proof that the room is riddled with bed bugs. If you discover a bed bug bite and you know it happened at a hotel, contact us for a free consultation. If you’ve had your hotel visit ruined by bed bugs, you may be entitled to compensation.
To find out more and book a free consultation, visit our offices at:
917 Broadway St, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Call now for a free consultation on (843) 839-4795
