With the increase in travel and the boom in tourism, bed bugs are spreading fast in many countries. According to a survey by Anses, almost 40% of infestations are caused by a stay in a hotel or other type of holiday accommodation. Unfortunately, many travellers end up with these pests in their hotel room or Airbnb accommodation and don’t know what to do. What precautions should be taken? How can you avoid bringing bedbugs home? Is it possible to get a refund? Serenid explains in this article.
How can you tell if there are bed bugs in a hotel?
Here’s how to detect the presence of bed bugs in your hotel room:
1. Inspect the bed and bedding
Bed bugs often hide in the nooks and crannies of mattresses, box springs and bedding seams. Start by checking the mattress, box spring and pillows. Look for black spots (excrement), small traces of blood, or tiny whitish eggs, which may indicate the presence of bed bugs.
Bed bugs are visible to the naked eye and measure between 4 and 7 millimetres.
2. Examine nooks and crannies and skirting boards
Dark nooks and crannies are favourite hiding places for bed bugs, as they can hide there during the day. Inspect skirting boards, cracks in walls, electrical sockets and gaps in furniture, especially those close to the bed. You can use your phone’s torch.
3. Check furniture and curtains
Bed bugs can hide in textiles and other hard-to-reach areas. Check curtains, bed frames, headboards and upholstered furniture for signs of infestation, such as dead skin or small dark spots.
4. Spot the smell of bed bugs
In the event of a serious infestation, bed bugs may give off a slightly sweet or musty smell. This type of smell is often synonymous with infestation.
5. Examine your bites
If you notice small red bumps grouped together in a line or cluster on exposed areas of your body (such as your arms, legs or neck), these are probably bed bug bites. Intense itching is also a common indicator.
➡️ See also: How do you recognise bed bug bites?
How to know if you have bed bugs in your suitcase?
Bed bugs can easily hide in suitcases and travel bags by inserting themselves into seams, pockets and under linings. In a contaminated hotel room or Airbnb, simply place them on the bed or near an infested area and these little blood-drinking insects will make the journey with you. Watch out for bed bugs in hiking huts too.
Here’s how to check whether your suitcase has been infested:
- Carefully examine the seams, corners and folds of your luggage. Look for signs of infestation such as small black spots (droppings), dead skin, eggs or even adult bedbugs.
- Use a torch: shine it inside the suitcase to spot signs of bedbugs that may be hiding in dark corners.
- Watch for bites: If you start noticing characteristic bites after your return, it’s possible that bedbugs have travelled with you.
What to do when you get home
When you get home, wash your clothes immediately at a temperature of at least 60°C.
This will eliminate any risk of contamination by eggs or bedbugs hidden in your clothes. Don’t forget to vacuum your suitcase before packing it. Carefully vacuum all the seams, nooks and closures. Then empty the vacuum bag or compartment into an airtight bag and dispose of it outside.
If necessary, steam clean your suitcases and bags at 120°C. Heat is an effective method of eliminating adult bed bugs, larvae and eggs, thus preventing any potential infestation.
➡️ See also: How can you prevent bed bugs when travelling?
How can I avoid carrying bed bugs in a hotel?
To avoid bringing back bed bugs from your hotel stay, you need to take a few precautions. Here are some steps you can take to minimise the risk:
- Elevate your luggage: As soon as you arrive, place your suitcases on a solid, elevated support, such as a metal luggage rack, and avoid placing them on the floor or on the bed. This will reduce the chances of bed bugs getting at your belongings.
- Store your belongings in airtight bags: You can put your clothes, shoes and other personal belongings in reusable vacuum bags.
- Use anti-bug covers for your suitcase: Some brands offer protective covers specially designed to prevent bedbugs from getting into your luggage. These covers, often made from reinforced materials, restrict access to the seams and nooks and crannies of suitcases.
- Don’t store your clothes in drawers: keep them in your suitcase and take out only what you need.
Bed bugs in a hotel: is a refund possible?
Refunding your stay
If you have stayed in a hotel infested by bed bugs, it is legitimate to ask for a refund, compensation and, of course, a change of room. In France, the hotel industry is not subject to strict hygiene regulations. However, generic hygiene standards, including routine maintenance, must be respected. The presence of bed bugs may therefore justify a request for partial or total reimbursement of your stay.
Please note that there is no legal requirement for hoteliers to provide refunds.
Legislation abroad varies. Don’t hesitate to read the terms and conditions of your booking to find out about the hotel’s cancellation and refund policies.
You can also contact local consumer associations.
Although no declaration is currently compulsory, we advise you to submit your request for a refund or compensation accompanied by proof. Take photographs of the bed bugs, the bites on your skin and any other signs of infestation. Also keep all written exchanges with the hotel regarding the problem.
Reimbursement of medical expenses
Medical consultations, antihistamine or antiseptic ointment, bed bug bites can generate expenses. Here again, you can ask the hotel to reimburse these costs.
What should I do if I have a dispute with the hotel?
Start by approaching the hotel managerout of court. You could, for example, send a letter by recorded delivery.
If the dispute persists, contact a local consumer association, which can help you find a solution.
You can also consult the legal service which is sometimes included with your credit card.
To lodge a complaint, you can :
- Refer the matter to the departmental prefect or the regional health agency in the event of a public health issue.
- For hotels classified as tourist accommodation, send your complaint by e-mail to classement@atout-france.fr
Bed bugs in hotels: what is the current case law?
Legal action has been taken in France. Current case law is as follows:
If the hotelier has done everything possible to prevent and combat bed bugs, the customer’s claim for reimbursement will not be accepted.
In practice, it is impossible for a hotel to provide 100% protection against bed bugs, especially given the increase in the number of travellers. For the time being, this is an obligation of means rather than an obligation of result.
Are you a hotel manager? Here’s the anti-bed bugs protocol to adopt
For hotel managers, the fight against bed bugs is a priority to guarantee the comfort and safety of guests and preserve the reputation of the establishment!
Here is a recommended protocol for preventing and treating infestations:
1. Daily prevention
- Staff training: Train your staff to recognise the signs of an infestation (black spots, dead skin, visible bedbugs) and to carry out regular inspections of bedrooms.
- Regular inspections: Check mattresses, box springs, skirting boards, headboards and seams of bedding.
2. Preventive treatment
- Traps and detectors: Place traps under the legs of beds and furniture to watch for signs of bed bugs.
- Use natural products: Diatomaceous earth is an effective bedbug repellent. Sprinkle it in strategic nooks and crannies to deter infestations.
- Use anti-bedbug covers: Cover mattresses and box springs with special covers to prevent bedbugs from settling in or proliferating.
3. Protocol in the event of a confirmed infestation
- Isolate the room: As soon as a room is identified as infested, isolate it immediately and do not book it again until the pests have been completely eradicated.
- Washing and disinfection: Wash all textiles (sheets, curtains, covers) at high temperature (minimum 60°C). Steam non-washable surfaces such as mattresses and box springs using a high-temperature (120°C) dry steam appliance.
- Thorough vacuuming: Vacuum the room thoroughly and immediately dispose of the vacuum bag in an airtight plastic bag.
4. Call in a professional
- Insect control by an expert: An insect control professional is trained to apply safe and effective insecticide treatments. Look for a certified service provider (Certibiocide) to ensure the quality of the service.
- Ongoing monitoring: After treatment, watch for signs of re-infestation for several weeks before returning the room to service.
