Is your hotel on the Bed Bug Registry?

What is the Bed Bug Registry?

The Bed Bug Registry is a website dedicated to reporting bed bug activity across the United States and Canada for both hotels and other travel accommodations. In recent years, the original Bed Bug Registry website has become inactive; therefore, Bedbug Reports is the most up-to-date resource and lists recent reports of bedbugs at many popular hotels in the United States and Canada.

How to Check for Bed Bugs in Hotels

The first step in bed bug prevention is knowing how to identify them.

• Before You Travel

  • Research your destination: Before booking your accommodations, research whether there have been any reports of bed bug infestations in the area.

  • Pack smart: Pack your luggage in plastic bags or bedbug-proof luggage liners to prevent bed bugs from hitchhiking. Avoid placing your luggage or clothes on beds, couches, or upholstered furniture.

  • Contact your Orkin Pro for recommendations and tips to prevent bringing bed bugs home when traveling.

• During Your Stay

  • Before settling in, inspect your room for signs of bed bugs. Check the mattress, box spring, headboard, and other furniture for bloodstains, bed bug droppings, and live bed bugs. Use a flashlight to inspect cracks and crevices.

  • Keep your belongings off the floor: Store your luggage on a luggage rack or in the bathroom, away from walls and furniture.

  • Be vigilant: Notify the hotel staff if you notice any signs of bed bugs during your stay, such as bites on your skin or bloodstains on your bedding.

What to do if you see bed bugs in your hotel room?

After finishing your check-in inspection, be sure to immediately notify the hotel if you find signs of a bed bug infestation. If you know that bed bugs are infesting your hotel room, consider leaving since bed bugs can travel to other rooms through cracks in the ceiling, floors, and walls, so switching to another room is not always a safe decision. 

How to prevent bringing bed bugs home when traveling.

Even if you don't see any signs of bed bugs in your hotel, be careful not to allow any opportunity for bed bugs to hitch a ride home with you.

• Before You Leave the Hotel

  • Inspecting your luggage thoroughly by examining the seams and crevices of your suitcase and any pockets or compartments. Look for small black dots, which may be bed bug droppings or shed skins. Consider using a luggage liner or plastic bag to protect your belongings from bed bugs.

• After Your Trip

  • Inspect your belongings: When you return home, re-inspect your luggage, clothing, and belongings for any signs of bed bugs. Wash your clothes in hot water and dry them on high heat before putting them away.

  • Quarantine your luggage: If you suspect your luggage or any other item may be infested with bed bugs, quarantine it in a garage or another storage area until you can inspect or treat it.

  • Vacuum your luggage: Use a vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool to vacuum the seams and crevices of your luggage, paying special attention to the corners and edges.

Bed bugs are best eliminated when the infestation is identified and controlled early. DIY bed bug treatments are often ineffective and not recommended. If you suspect a bed bug problem in your home, contact your Orkin Pro for help with bed bug infestations immediately.