GREENSBORO, N.C. — Whether it's a hotel room, a beach rental, or a cabin in the mountains, no matter where you stay, you need to look for bed bugs before you unpack anything.
"Bed bugs are gross but they’re not generally dangerous. They don’t transmit disease, but their bites can cause a variety of problems, including skin infections and allergic reactions," said Catherine Roberts of Consumer Reports.
It might sound extreme, but to be safe, put your luggage in the bathroom as soon as you enter the rental space.
Bed bugs prefer anything dark and creviced that they can hide in, like bedding, fabric seams, furniture, and even inside walls. So the bathroom is usually a safe zone while you search elsewhere for signs of the critters.
Check the sheets, mattress, and box spring. Look for dark, rust-colored spots and exoskeletons, the casings the bugs leave behind.
Don’t forget to look at the head of the bed and in, around, and behind the headboard. Be sure to lift and check under the mattress, too.
It’s important to take action if you find any signs of bed bugs. Alert the manager immediately, and ask for a new room in a different part of the hotel or another rental property.
"Even if your room seems clear, it’s a good idea to keep your luggage and clothes off the floor and off the bed. Put your suitcase on a table or a luggage rack, or even keep it in the bathroom," said Roberts.
And when you get home, if you have any concerns that you’ve brought home hitchhikers, throw your travel clothes in a hot dryer for 30 minutes to kill any bugs.
If you’re staying at an Airbnb or a vacation rental and you find bed bugs or anything else you didn’t expect, immediately contact your host. In some cases, you have a limited time to log a complaint.