Can Bed Bugs Follow You Home From Infested Hotel Room?

by Sam smith
(Del Mar ca )

I stayed at a hotel and got triangle bite marks. Will the bedbugs follow me to my house?

Editor Response - Bed Bug Issue in Hotel Room

Hi Sam,

Thanks for your question! I get how stressful it can be to deal with bites after staying in a hotel and worrying about bringing bed bugs home. Let’s go over what’s happening and what you can do to avoid any unwanted hitchhikers.

Could Bed Bugs Follow You Home?

Unfortunately, yes, bed bugs can travel home with you on your belongings, like luggage, clothes, or personal items. That said, they don’t automatically spread unless they’ve had a chance to hide in your things. The good news? There are simple steps you can take to stop them in their tracks.

Steps to Keep Bed Bugs Out of Your Home

1. Check Your Belongings

Before bringing your luggage inside, inspect it carefully. Look for:

• Live bugs or eggs in seams and pockets.
• Small black stains or smears (bed bug droppings).

If you see anything suspicious, isolate the luggage immediately and move on to the next steps.

2. Wash and Heat-Treat Your Clothes

- Toss all your clothes—worn or not—into the washer and use hot water. - Dry them on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes. Heat above 120°F kills both bed bugs and their eggs.

3. Clean Your Luggage

- Vacuum the inside and outside of your luggage, paying attention to seams, zippers, and folds. - For extra peace of mind, use a steamer or treat your luggage with heat.

4. Keep an Eye on Your Home

- Set up bed bug interceptors under your bed legs to catch any bugs that may have come home with you. - Regularly inspect your mattress, box spring, and furniture for signs of bed bugs, such as dark stains or shed skins.

About the Bites

The triangular pattern of your bites doesn’t exactly match the typical bed bug bite pattern (usually clusters or lines). It could be another type of insect or even an allergic reaction to something in the hotel. If the bites persist or get worse, consider seeing a doctor to rule out other causes.

Final Thoughts

It’s totally possible to keep bed bugs from spreading to your home if you act quickly and follow these steps. Let me know how it goes, and feel free to reach out if you have more questions!
Take care,
Jeff
Editor and Publisher
Bed Bugs Handbook