Subtle Signs Your Hotel Room Is Infested With Bed Bugs

A clean-looking room doesn’t always mean a bug-free stay. After all, bed bugs aren’t drawn to dirt. Instead, they are attracted to people. They move easily in luggage, clothing, and even ride-shares. Some infestations go unnoticed for days, but a careful look during check-in can make all the difference.

You only need a flashlight and ten minutes. The signs are easy to miss unless you know exactly what you’re looking for.

A Strange Sweet Odor Near the Bed

Pheromones released by bed bugs accumulate when large groups gather in one area. That buildup often creates a sweet, slightly musty scent, especially near headboards or in soft furniture. Some describe the smell as rotting berries or moldy towels. If you catch that smell right after walking in, don’t unpack. Start your inspection before anything touches the bed.

Tiny Dark Dots Around Mattress Seams

Bed bug fecal matter dries into tiny black stains that look like marker dots. They are visible on mattress seams, headboard fabric, and corners of box springs. These marks result from digested blood and often indicate recent feeding activity. They’re usually found in clusters, not scattered randomly.

Crushed-Bug Smears on Sheets or Pillowcases

Those faint red-brown marks on hotel bedding can look harmless at first, but they often come from bugs that were accidentally pressed during the night. After feeding, they’re full of blood, and a simple shift in sleep can squash them enough to leave a thin streak behind. You’ll usually spot these stains near the upper part of the bed, close to where heads and shoulders settle.

Flat, Oval Bugs Crawling on Walls or Furniture

Seeing even one live bed bug means others likely hide nearby. They don’t scurry like ants or zip around like flies. Instead, they crawl slowly with purpose. Adults resemble apple seeds—reddish-brown, flat, and around a quarter inch long. They typically surface on headboards, walls, or nightstands if the room has heavy activity.

Molted Skins Hidden in Furniture or Corners

As bed bugs grow, they shed their exoskeletons and leave behind pale, husk-like shells. These skins are dry, oval-shaped, and collect under mattress tags, in couch seams, or along baseboards. Finding one may not seem like much, but these shells show the bugs have stayed long enough to grow through a life stage.

Egg Clusters Tucked into Tight Gaps

Spotting clusters of tiny white eggs tucked into corners signals an established home for these biting pests. The eggs sit in cracks where carpet meets the wall or inside furniture joints. If you notice them, stop unpacking immediately. Take clear photos, notify the front desk, and request a room in a completely different section of the property.

Unusual Debris Behind or Under the Headboard

The space behind headboards doesn’t get cleaned frequently, and it is not surprising that these insects take full advantage of that. They like undisturbed areas that stay close to sleepers, and that wall gap fits the description. You might find shells, dark fecal marks, or a faint smell if bugs have clustered nearby.

Stains or Smudges Around Electrical Outlets

You’d be surprised to know that bed bugs don’t just stay in mattresses. They hide in warm, dark crevices, including the gaps behind outlet covers or light switches. These places tend to hold smudges, black spots, or light shells if bugs have been there. Even though it’s a less obvious location, it gives away infestations in rooms where mattress investigations come up clean.

Crawling Sensation Without a Visible Cause

Several sources note that guests sometimes report a crawling feeling when lying on infested beds, even without seeing a bug. This sensation, often dismissed as imagination or dry skin, can be an early clue. Such insects are most active at night and drawn to body heat. If you feel movement on your skin, especially within the first hour of resting, trust your instincts.

Unusual Marks on Luggage or Clothing After Arrival

Check your suitcase and clothing for any new black or rusty spots after they’ve touched hotel furniture or flooring. These stains can come from crushed insects or waste and often show up near seams or zippers. Make sure to relocate bags to the bathroom, away from soft surfaces, and inspect each item under good lighting.