How to check for bedbugs on your holiday travels

Don't let the bedbug bite on your holiday travels.

More than ever, travelers are worried about avoiding these stealthy, bloodsucking pests. As Americans prepare to travel this holiday season, it's important know how to spot and check hotel or Airbnb rooms for bedbugs.

Just what are bedbugs, and how do you get them? Adult bedbugs are tiny creatures, about the size of an apple seed, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. They can't fly, but they can crawl incredibly fast, and they come out at night, the perfect time for them to feed.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has long considered bedbugs a public health pest. The insects feed on the blood of humans and animals. They're commonly found in bedding, furniture in homes and in hotels and on public transportation.

What do bedbugs look like?

Adult bedbugs are tiny oval-shaped bugs, brown or reddish-brown with flat bodies. They have antennas and six legs. Young bedbugs will be smaller and may be lighter in color, almost a white or yellow color, than their adult counterparts. 

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Bedbugs produce small, itchy, red bumps by feeding on the blood of people and animals. They appear to the naked eye as tiny dots on walls, furniture and beds.

Don't be fooled into thinking a nice hotel is less likely to have bedbugs. Cleanliness doesn’t determine whether an infestation can occur, according to the CDC website. 

How to check for bedbugs when traveling

Typically, bedbugs hide out in gaps in the bed frames and headboards, mattresses, bedsheets and pillows. On other furniture, such as couches or chairs, be sure to check the cushion seams. It wouldn't hurt to check the curtains and wall hangings as well.

Where do bedbugs bite most?

Unlike flea bites, which usually happen around your ankles, bedbug bites usually occur on areas of skin that are exposed while you're sleeping, including the hands, neck and face, according to WebMD. Also unlike flea bites, bedbug bites do not have a red spot in the center.

Some people will see their bites within an hour, but others won’t have any reaction at all. Besides causing irritated skin and swelling, bedbug bites are relatively harmless, and they don’t transmit diseases, according to Dr. Chow-Yang Lee, entomologist and professor at the University of California, Riverside. 

What cities have the most bedbugs?

According to Orkin's Top 50 Bed Bug Cities List, the top three spots are Chicago, New York and Philadelphia, ranked first, second and third, respectively, for 2024.

Tips to prevent bedbugs from traveling home with you

• Before you leave, be sure to take a close look at your luggage, inside and out. Use a flashlight on your phone to help get a better view.
• Experts recommend packing your clothes in large resealable plastic bags. That goes for your shoes and personal items, too.
• When you arrive home, wash all your clothes, even the ones you didn't wear on the trip. Wash in hot water and dry on high heat, according to the EPA.
• Clean your luggage. If you have a duffel bag, throw it in the wash if you can. Otherwise, use a garment steamer to kill off any stowaway bugs. 

This story was updated to add new information.

CONTRIBUTING Kathleen Wong