Any hotel can have bedbugs. How travelers can avoid bringing them home.

There’s nothing like hitting the sack after a long day on the road, but there’s something travelers may want to consider doing first if they don't want to be the only ones crawling into bed: Checking for bedbugs. 

“They really could be anywhere that we sleep,” Orkin entomologist Benjamin Hottel told USA TODAY. “Regardless of the hotel or whether it's an Airbnb or a cabin up in the woods, it's possible that you could encounter those.” 

That’s because they’re carried from place to place by other people.  

Even though they are relatively uncommon, Hottel added, “I just assume there could be bedbugs anywhere I stay.” 

For travelers who’d rather be safe than sorry, here’s how to check for bedbugs and how to avoid bringing them home. 

What are the first signs of bedbugs? 

For many people, the first sign may be bites, but the Environmental Protection Agency says those aren't the best indicator because bed bug bites may look like bites from other insects, rashes or hives. Also, some people have delayed reactions or no reaction to bed bug bites. 

“One of the important things is that you actually see bedbugs themselves,” Hottel said.  

Travelers can look for live bedbugs, their shed skin, eggs and dot-like feces around mattress and box spring seams, piping and tags, as well as around headboards. Other signs include rusty stains on mattresses, bedding and nearby objects. 

In cases of high infestations, bedbugs may also be found in places like drawer joints, curtain folds and under wallpaper. But most large hotels these days have protocols in place, Hottel said, so it typically doesn’t get that bad.  

“Hopefully there are other eyes looking at this bed other than just the guests,” he said. “The staff would notice something.” 

How can I tell if it's a bedbug? 

Unless they’re newly hatched, bedbugs are visible to the naked eye.  

Adults are about the size of an apple seed, oval and relatively flat, which allows them to fit in small spaces. 

Depending on their age, coloring can range from translucent to yellowish-white to reddish-brown. 

They have six legs, no wings, and a sweet, musty scent. 

How to avoid bedbugs 

Orkin came up with an acronym to help travelers protect themselves: SLEEP.  

S: Search the room for signs of bedbug infestation.

L: Lift sheets, curtains and cushions to check for bedbugs.

E: Elevate your luggage on racks and keep it away from the bed.

E: Examine your luggage carefully while repacking and again when you return home. 

P: Place all dryer-safe clothing in a dryer on high heat for 30 minutes upon returning home.

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What do you do if you find a bedbug? 

The Bed Bug Legal Group advises travelers to: 

• Take photos of any signs of bedbugs in the room.

• Take photos of any injuries or damage to your belongings.

• Report the infestation to the hotel manager.

Can I get a refund if my hotel room has bedbugs? 

You may be able to get a refund, but resolutions can vary by hotel and destination. 

Some travelers seek legal recourse for bedbug incidents. 

What do I do if I slept in a hotel with bedbugs? 

Travelers should carefully inspect their luggage and belongings for unwanted hitchhikers. 

“Any non-clothing items that may have come in contact with bedbugs should not be brought into the house at all,” according to Michigan State University Extension, which partnered with the Michigan Department of Community Health on addressing bedbugs. “Unpack suitcases on a hard surface under bright light so you can see any bedbugs.” 

The EPA recommends washing and drying clothing at the hottest temperature the fabric can stand. 

“If you had a large freezer, you can also put stuff in the freezer for like a week or two. It would kill all life stages,” Hottel said. “And then, with your luggage, you could put it in a garbage bag or something like that and leave it in your in your garage.” 

He said bedbugs can survive a long time without feeding, but “if it's 90 or 100 degrees in your garage or your shed or something ... they're not going to last very long.”  

If travelers are still worried, pest control companies can come to your home to check.