Revealed: The telltale signs there are BEDBUGS in your hotel room… and how to make sure you don’t bring them back from your holiday

NEVER put your suitcase on the hotel bed

“When you first arrive at your hotel, you can put your suitcase straight on the bed without checking for bugs and start unpacking,” says Martin Seeley of MattressNextDay.

However, he notes that by doing this, “you’re putting your luggage and clothes where bedbugs usually are and giving them a free ticket home.”

With this in mind, he recommends storing ‘your suitcase as close to the room door as possible’.

ALWAYS STORE YOUR CLOTHES IN THE WARDROBE, NOT IN THE SIROKA

It is recommended that you avoid putting your suitcases on the hotel bed and always store your clothes in a wardrobe, not in drawers

After a long day of traveling to your destination, you might be tempted to quickly throw everything you’re wearing into the conveniently placed bed drawers – but Martin declares this move a ‘huge mistake’.

Why? He explains: ‘Although bed bugs can’t fly, they can crawl and putting clothes in bedside drawers gives them a perfect opportunity.’

GET A PLASTIC CHANGE BAG FOR WET CLOTHES

Martin says: “Bed men are more attracted to dirty clothes, so make sure you take a spare bag for your dirty clothes in your box and tie the bag in a knot to seal it completely.”

EXPLORE ON THE HARD FLOOR AND NOT IN YOUR BEDROOM

There are more preventative measures you can take when you return from your vacation, Martin reveals.

The mattress expert says: ‘When you get home, unpack your luggage in a place other than the bedroom. Even better if it’s on a hard floor, as you won’t be able to spot bed bugs on a carpet.’

He continues: ‘Inspect your suitcase closely and use a flashlight or torch to look into the seams, folds and pockets of your suitcase. Always vacuum your suitcase before storing it.’

LEAVE EVERYTHING YOU GOT, EVEN YOUR CLEAN CLOTHES

Finally, Martin recommends that – even though it ‘may seem like overkill’ – you “wash every item of clothing you’ve brought with you on holiday, even those that are clean or that you haven’t worn”.

He explains: ‘If bed bugs have crawled into your suitcase, they won’t differentiate between clothes.’