How Common Are Bed Bugs In Hotels?

It’s the not-so-glamorous side of travel that might make you squirm: Bed bugs are known to nestle into hotel mattresses, hitchhike in luggage, and burrow in fabric on public transportation head rests or seat backs. But how common is it to actually come across these pesky blood-sucking insects when you travel?

A new survey from The Sleep Doctor released this week shows that one in seven (or 14%) of U.S. travelers reported a bed bug encounter in the past year, and 20 percent of those sightings happened in five-star hotels.

Last year, there was a panic in Paris when a bed bug infestation overlapped with Fashion Week, and the media attention likely drummed up extra vigilance among travelers.

Here, experts weigh in on the prevalence of bed bugs ahead of the summer travel season.

What are the Odds of Getting Bed Bugs From Traveling?

Bed bug exposure during travel is relatively common due to the high turnover of guests in hotels, explains Allan Bossel, operations expert and professional bed bug exterminator at BBE Bed Bug Exterminator in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Exposure rates may vary, but the increasing movement of people worldwide makes bed bugs a persistent issue, he says.

“Large international events are the perfect opportunities for bed bugs to find new areas full of viable hosts,” he says.

Attorney Christopher Johnston says when an infestation occurs at a hotel, most properties do their best to move guests and fumigate affected floors. This is often easier for larger hotels as they are more likely to have the extra inventory, while smaller properties sometimes wait for the slower season for a full fumigation, he says.

Here’s the breakdown from the Sleep Doctor survey that identifies where guests saw bed bugs in the past year. Respondents could choose multiple answers.

• 1-Star Hotel (9%)
• 2-Star Hotel (16%)
• 3-Star Hotel (38%)
• 4-Star Hotel (30%)
• 5-Star Hotel (20%)
• Motel (20%)
• Bed and breakfast (10%)
• Vacation rental (19%)
• Hostel (4%)

In the busy travel season, about June to October, there is a higher likelihood of encountering bed bugs because hotels, motels, and other travel accommodations are common places where bed bugs can be picked up and brought home, says Nicole Carpenter, president of Black Pest Prevention.

What Bug Can Be Mistaken for a Bed Bug?

A 2023 UK study found that only about 16% of people could confidently identify a bed bug. (Here’s some more tips on spotting bed bugs when you’re traveling).

Spider beetles and carpet beetles are some other insects that people may confuse for bed bugs, says Bossel.

Although these pests may have similar appearances, there are still ways to differentiate them from each other. For example, carpet beetles have more rounded bodies and a wider range of colors. They are usually black or brown, with mottled patterns. The bodies of spider beetles are longer and more slender than bed bugs.

Bed bugs look like an apple seed and typically brown and have a flat shape, Carpenter says.

How to Tell If There are Bed Bugs in a Hotel Room?

Start with mattress and bedding inspection, Carpenter suggests.

Pay special attention to mattress corners and look for small dark spots, which could indicate bed bug excrement. Also be on the look out for the bug’s exoskeleton, which sometimes sheds on mattresses or upholstered furniture.

In addition to mattresses, bed bugs can also hide in carpets, curtains, and around baseboards, she says. That’s why experts recommend storing your luggage on a luggage rack or even temporarily putting it in the bathtub as you give your room an inspection.

When checking these areas, also look for tiny white eggs, Carpenter says.

“Bed bug eggs look similar to a piece of uncooked white rice,” she says. “It might be difficult to spot a bed bug in carpeting, so you should use a flashlight.” The eggs are very small, typically the size of pinhead.

Here’s a full guide to checking if your hotel has bed bugs.

What To Do If You Spot a Bed Bug In Your Hotel Room?

The first thing you should do if you find a bed bug in your hotel is to take a picture as proof, Bossel says.

Then, request to either switch rooms or relocate to a different hotel by notifying the hotel management right away.

“Since bed bugs can easily spread through walls, make sure the new room is not directly above or below the infested room or adjacent to it,” he says. They use pipes, wires, and wall voids to get to nearby rooms.

Before relocating, check your possessions for indications of bed bugs to make sure you don't bring the bugs with you, Bossel suggests.