Content updated: October 16, 2026

Key takeaways

  • Bed bugs are reddish-brown, oval-shaped insects about the size of an apple seed and may hide in beds, furniture, picture frames, baseboards, cracks, and folds in bedding.
  • Signs of bed bugs can include small fecal stains, blood spots on sheets, molted skins, and bites, although some people may not show bite symptoms.
  • Hotels can prepare for potential bed bug problems by educating staff on identification and signs of activity and having a plan in place for an infestation.
  • Because bed bugs can hide in less accessible areas and are resistant to many pesticides, professional treatment is recommended.

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Bed bug infestations are rising

What can hotels do to ease travelers’ fears?

Have a commercial pest control plan in place

Consider communicating with guests

Bed bugs can be a serious concern for hotels, especially when travelers may choose to stay elsewhere if they see evidence of an infestation. Because these pests can be difficult to spot and control, knowing how to identify bed bugs and recognize signs of activity is an important part of protecting your guests and business. Learn more about bed bugs in hotels, what staff should look for, and how a proactive pest control plan can help address infestations.

Bed bug infestations are rising

Bed bugs can be transported by travelers and infestations are on the rise across the country. One in five Americans has had a bed bug infestation in his or her home or knows someone who has encountered bed bugs at home or in a hotel, according to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). The NPMA also reported that 99.6 percent of pest professionals surveyed have treated for bed bugs in 2015, significantly more than 15 years ago.

Related Article: What to do if your business has bed bugs

What can hotels do to ease travelers’ fears?

Even if a hotel hasn’t experienced bed bugs, it’s smart to take a proactive approach by educating hotel staff and having a plan in place for dealing with an infestation. Here are some suggestions for mounting a strong bed bug defense.

Know how to identify bed bugs

  • Bed bugs have an oval-shaped body about the size of an apple seed and are reddish-brown in color.
  • Bed bugs have a flattened body, but if they’ve recently fed then their abdomen can appear longer.
  • Mature bed bugs have a small head and larger oval-shaped body.
  • Bed bugs do not have wings, so they cannot fly and they do not jump.

Know where to look for bed bugs

Many bed bug infestations are found in:

  • Beds
  • Furniture
  • Picture frames
  • Baseboards adjacent to beds
  • Bed bugs can also hide in cracks, as well as the folds and tucks of a bed.

Know how to recognize signs of bed bugs

  • Small brown (fecal) stains on bedding
  • Small blood spots on sheets
  • Molted skin from bed bugs
  • Bite symptoms (although some people may not show bite symptoms at all)

Have a commercial pest control plan in place

In addition to being difficult to spot, bed bugs can be difficult to control and are resistant to many pesticides. Even if beds and furniture have been treated, bed bug populations may still be thriving under carpets, in walls or in other less accessible areas of your hotel. One product or technique used alone is not likely to be effective against bed bugs, which is why professional bed bug treatment is recommended. Hotels should choose a commercial pest control company that has specific experience in treating bed bugs in hotels. Terminix® offers customized bed bug treatments that detect infestations early to control bed bugs quickly and effectively.

Consider communicating with guests

The same University of Kentucky survey cites that 46 percent of respondents indicated they would appreciate a hotel providing information on bed bug prevention, and that respondents would stay at a hotel that communicated such preventive measures. In some cases, it might be a good idea for a hotel to tell guests about the steps that have been taken to help prevent infestations. This is particularly true if the hotel has had bed bug problems in the past or is in an area where the pests are common and people may be especially weary.

Don’t lose sleep over bed bug fears. Get a free estimate on commercial bed bug treatment, and rest easy along with your guests.

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