A hotel industry expert has warned travellers that the first thing they do upon entering a hotel room — flipping on the lights — may not be the best move if they want to spot bed bugs. The expert advised guests to pause, switch the lights off and inspect the room in dimmer conditions, saying it can make signs of an infestation easier to detect.
Halee Whiting, described in media reports as a hotel expert, outlined the approach in a short video and urged guests to check for live insects and telltale signs of bed bugs before unpacking or settling in. She also advised documenting any findings and taking the issue to hotel staff immediately to secure an alternative room or a refund.
In the video and accompanying posts, Whiting recommended that travellers photograph any suspected bed bugs, record the time of check-in and note the room number. "Take pictures and document everything," she said, according to media coverage. If evidence of an infestation is found, she said guests should return to the front desk with the documentation; many hotels will relocate guests and may offer refunds.
Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that feed on blood and are typically described as dark yellow, red or brown with flattened oval bodies. They commonly bite exposed areas of skin while a person sleeps, such as the head, arms and legs. Bites usually appear as raised, red, itchy welts but are not generally associated with serious long-term health effects.
Whiting's advice reflects a practical check that can be done immediately on arrival: examine mattress seams, the headboard, bedside furniture, and the area behind cushions and along baseboards. Experts often advise keeping luggage on racks or in the bathroom until a room has been inspected, and to avoid placing clothing or personal items directly on beds or upholstered furniture until a room has been cleared.
If guests discover bed bugs or signs of their presence — live insects, dark spots of excrement on bedding or seams, or small bloodstains — the recommended steps are to document the evidence, notify hotel management promptly and request a new room or a refund. Whiting told viewers that returning to the front desk with photos and details usually prompts staff to relocate affected guests.
Hotels and hospitality groups typically have protocols for handling suspected infestations, including moving guests, inspecting and treating rooms, and, where appropriate, offering refunds or compensation. Public health authorities advise that while bed bugs are a nuisance and can cause discomfort through bites and allergic reactions in some people, they are not known to spread infectious diseases.
Travellers concerned about bed bugs can take additional precautions: inspect accommodations on arrival, store luggage on racks or in bathtubs while checking a room, launder clothing in hot water after returning home when possible, and vacuum suitcases and garments or use heat treatments if necessary. Reporting suspected infestations promptly to hotel management helps protect subsequent guests and allows hotels to address the issue more quickly.
The guidance follows increasing public attention to pests in temporary accommodations and underscores a simple early check that can reduce the chance of an unpleasant encounter. Whiting and other industry commentators emphasize documentation and quick communication with hotel staff as the most effective immediate responses for guests who find evidence of bed bugs after checking in.