Traveling is thrilling, but it also comes with its fair share of hassles. Between packing, booking flights, and confirming accommodations, the last thing you want to worry about is bed bugs. Unfortunately, these tiny, unwanted hitchhikers are a real threat in hotels around the world. Recently, a flight attendant shared an unusual yet effective trick to detect bed bugs in hotel rooms, sparking interest among frequent travelers.
Why Are Bed Bugs Such a Big Deal for Travelers?
Bed bugs may be small, but they can create massive headaches. Once they infest your luggage, clothes, or bedding, they can quickly follow you home, making it incredibly challenging to get rid of them. These tiny insects hide in the seams and corners of mattresses, bed frames, and upholstery, often only emerging at night to feed.
Their bites can cause itching, redness, and, in some cases, allergic reactions. Worse still, they’re notoriously difficult to eliminate without professional pest control. So, it’s essential to detect and avoid bed bugs before they become an uninvited souvenir from your travels.
Meet the Flight Attendant with the Bed Bug Detection Tricks
A flight attendant named Hannah, who is relatively new to the airline industry, has recently gained attention online for sharing her unusual yet effective tips for spotting bed bugs in hotel rooms. In a now-viral TikTok video, she demonstrated how she checks her hotel rooms to ensure they’re bed bug-free. According to her, these methods have become a routine part of her travel life, ensuring she stays safe from these pesky creatures.
Hannah’s approach involves some simple but unconventional tricks that can help expose bed bugs hiding in your room. Let’s explore these tips and understand why they work.
Step 1: Inspect the Corners of Your Bed
One of Hannah’s first tips is straightforward yet often overlooked: inspect the corners and seams of your bed. Bed bugs tend to hide in these areas during the day, only coming out when they sense the presence of a human host.
To inspect your bed:
- Start by lifting the sheets and checking the seams and edges of the mattress.
- Look for tiny black or brown spots, which could be bed bug excrement, or shed skins and eggs.
- Pay attention to any tiny movements or unusual signs on the mattress surface.
This preliminary check is critical because it targets areas where bed bugs are most likely to be lurking.
Step 2: Use a Bar of Soap to Draw Out Bed Bugs
Here’s where things get a little strange. Hannah suggests placing a bar of soap at the foot of the bed and leaving it there while you’re away. According to her, bed bugs are sometimes drawn to the soap, giving you a visual indicator of their presence.
While this trick may sound odd, it’s worth a try. Bed bugs are attracted to certain scents and chemicals, so a bar of soap might be enough to draw them out temporarily. When you return to the room, check if there’s any movement or activity around the soap. This method isn’t foolproof but could serve as an additional layer of precaution.
Step 3: Breathe on the Bed to Lure Bed Bugs Out
@cabincrew_han Always check for bed bugs babies #fyp #foryou #travel #traveltok #flightattendant #flightattendantlife #hotel #aviation #traveltip #travellife ♬ original sound – Hannah | Flight Attendant | RN
Perhaps the most bizarre tip of all, Hannah reveals that she sometimes flips the covers and starts breathing on the bed. Why? Because bed bugs are attracted to carbon dioxide, the gas we exhale. In the quiet, dark hours of the night, bed bugs use the increase in CO₂ as a signal that a potential host is nearby. By breathing on the bed, you might be able to lure them out of hiding.
Here’s how to use this method effectively:
- Stand near the bed and breathe over the mattress and covers, especially around the seams and edges.
- Watch for any movement or sudden signs of bugs emerging from their hiding spots.
Though unusual, this trick uses the bed bugs’ natural tendencies to your advantage, making it easier to detect them before they become a problem.
Step 4: Alternative Tip – Use Alka Seltzer for CO₂ Detection
In addition to Hannah’s methods, a helpful comment on her TikTok video recommended another tactic for using CO₂ to lure out bed bugs. The commenter suggested placing an Alka Seltzer tablet in a cup of water. As it dissolves, the tablet releases CO₂, which could attract any bed bugs hiding nearby. This trick provides a hands-off way to create a carbon dioxide source, possibly drawing out the bugs without you needing to breathe directly on the bed.
To use this method:
- Place a cup with a dissolving Alka Seltzer tablet near the bed.
- Wait a few minutes to see if there’s any movement or signs of bed bugs.
This additional step may improve your chances of detecting bed bugs early in your stay.
What to Do If You Find Bed Bugs in Your Hotel Room
Spotting bed bugs doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in for a nightmare, but it’s critical to act fast. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do if you find signs of bed bugs in your hotel room:
- Notify Hotel Management Immediately: Alert the hotel staff so they can address the issue promptly. They may offer to move you to a different room or even a different hotel, depending on availability.
- Request a Room Far from the Affected Area: Bed bugs can spread quickly, so if possible, ask for a room several floors or rooms away from the infested one.
- Inspect Your Luggage and Clothing: Bed bugs can cling to fabrics, so carefully inspect your belongings before moving to a new room. Consider placing your luggage in a sealed plastic bag to prevent any further spread.
- Avoid Putting Luggage on Beds and Upholstered Furniture: Use the luggage rack provided by the hotel, and keep your belongings away from the bed and other fabric surfaces where bed bugs might be hiding.
Preventing Bed Bugs During Your Travels
Although Hannah’s tips are helpful, there are additional steps you can take to minimize the risk of bed bugs while traveling:
- Use a Protective Luggage Cover: Special covers can help keep bed bugs from getting into your suitcase, especially when stored on the floor or near a bed.
- Keep Clothes Sealed in Plastic Bags: Ziplock bags or plastic covers help keep bugs from getting into your clothes, adding an extra layer of protection.
- Avoid Putting Belongings on the Bed: Place your items on hard surfaces or luggage racks instead of the bed or carpet, where bugs are more likely to hide.
Conclusion
Travel should be about adventure and relaxation, not battling bed bugs. Hannah’s unusual tips — from breathing on the bed to using soap and Alka Seltzer tablets — may seem quirky, but they could save you from a bed bug disaster. With a few simple checks, you can rest easy knowing your hotel room is bug-free and your vacation is safe.
So, next time you check into a hotel, take a few minutes to inspect your room. A little effort goes a long way in ensuring a comfortable, pest-free stay. And remember, these tiny critters aren’t just a nuisance; they can make their way back home with you if you’re not careful. Safe travels, and may your journeys always be bed bug-free!
