How to Avoid Bedbugs During Travel (& Not Bring Them Home)
Bedbugs are the one souvenir nobody posts on Instagram. You can do everything “right”, stay somewhere clean, and still end up with a tiny hitchhiker in your suitcase.
If you’re a part time traveller squeezing getaways into weekends, bank holidays, and the odd precious day off, you don’t have time for the chaos (or cost) of dealing with an infestation at home.
I travelled to 25 countries last year, with dozens of hotel and Airbnb stays, and yes, I skipped this advice and brought some little critters home. So I’ve had to learn what to do (and not to do) to treat them, and prevent a repeat.
This is the practical, no-faff routine I use to avoid bedbugs during travel on short trips, built for people travelling around a full time job.
You’ll learn how to check a room fast, where to keep your luggage, what to do with clothes on the way home, and how to react if you spot warning signs.
Why bedbugs tag along (and why it’s not about cleanliness)
Bedbugs aren’t attracted to dirt, they’re attracted to people. They hide in seams, cracks, and soft furnishings, then hop into bags and coats when you least expect it.
They’ve also made a huge comeback over the last few years, linked to increased travel and growing resistance to some treatments. If you want the nerdy background (and you sort of do, because it helps you take it seriously without panicking), this self-catering industry guidance explains the broader UK picture clearly.
The useful mindset shift is this: your goal isn’t to “avoid dodgy places”. Because even pristine, expensive hotel rooms can have bedbugs, and you might not even know it. So the goal is to stop bedbugs getting access to your stuff, and your home.
Why I’m so strict about this now: we stayed in this Airbnb in Montenegro that already had issues with mice, wasps, and insects, plus a very unbothered host. It was horrendous, and it taught me that if a place has one pest problem, you can’t assume bedbugs won’t be in the mix too. Not long after, we found a bedbug on our headboard at home, and it honestly came as no surprise.
The 2-minute hotel room check (do this before you unpack)
I used to skip this on quick weekends away because I wanted to fling my bag down and go find snacks. Then I had one trip where I spotted suspicious dark flecks along the mattress seam, and suddenly two minutes felt like a bargain.
Now I do this every time, especially if the stay has any “pest vibes” at all. That nightmare Montenegro Airbnb is the reason I don’t talk myself out of checking.
Start with your luggage still closed, and placed on a hard surface off the floor (like a desk). Then:
- Check the bed first: pull back the sheets and look along the mattress seams, piping, and corners.
What I look for: live bugs, tiny pale shed skins, and dark speckled marks (they can look like brown ink dots). - Scan the headboard area: front and back if you can, especially fabric or tufted bits.
Why I bother: those soft, textured areas are perfect hiding spots, and you won’t see them unless you look. - Check the bedside area: behind the bedside table, around skirting boards, and near sockets.
Quick trick: I use my phone torch and a quick peek behind things rather than pulling the whole room apart. - Know what “signs” actually mean: small dark spots, pale shed skins, or live bugs (small, flat, brownish).
For a visual guide to what you’re actually looking for, Which? has a great, straightforward walkthrough with pictures to guide you.
If you see signs, don’t unpack. Take a couple of photos, go to reception, and ask to move rooms (ideally not next door).
Luggage placement: keep your case off the bed, off the floor
If bedbugs had a motto, it would be: “Climb now, regret later.”
The safest habit is boring but effective: use the luggage rack. If there isn’t one, put your case on a wardrobe shelf, in the bath, or on a hard surface like a desk.
This is one of the things I replay in my head from Montenegro. When you’re tired, it’s so easy to drop your bag on the bed “for a second”. I did it more than once during our stay. I should have known better. Now I treat the bed like an absolute no-go zone for luggage, full stop.
A few more small moves that help a lot:
Zip it up: Keep your bag or suitcase closed when you’re not actively getting something out. Why I’m fussy about this: I don’t want my case sitting open like an invitation while I’m in the shower or out sightseeing.
Separate clothes: I pack these large drawstring bags, one for clean clothes, one for worn.
This matters if your luggage does get exposed: it makes your “what needs heat” decisions much easier when you get home.
Hard cases help: Fabric cases have more seams and hiding spots. If you’re buying new luggage, a hard shell case, like my Aerolyte cabin case, is easier to inspect and wipe down. Personal note: if I’m staying somewhere basic, I’m extra glad I’ve got a case I can properly check and clean.
If you’re trying to pack lighter for weekend breaks (which also makes it easier to keep everything contained), this winter trip carry-on approach is a good reference point.
On-trip habits that actually fit real life (even on short trips)
When you’re doing back-to-back plans and late flights, you need habits that don’t slow you down. These are my “I can do this half-asleep” rules:
Don’t hang clothes on upholstered chairs: Use hooks, hangers, or a wardrobe rail.
After THAT Montenegro trip, I stopped using soft chairs as a “clothes pile”, especially in Airbnbs where you don’t know what’s been treated (or not treated).
Keep jackets and scarves off the bed: Soft items pick up passengers easily.
This is where I think people get caught out: you can do a quick bed check, then accidentally contaminate your clean stuff by tossing a coat on top.
Be picky with luggage storage: In hostels or shared apartments, don’t shove your bag under or next to the bed. Use a luggage rack if there is one. If not, choose a locker, wardrobe or a hard surface like a desk or dressing table, even if it’s a faff.
If you’re stacking weekends away and trying to travel more while still keeping your boss happy, you’ll recognise the chaos, and the joy, in my ‘travel more while working’ guide.
One extra note for train and coach journeys: I don’t panic, but I do keep my coat on my lap rather than draped on random seats, and I zip my bag pockets shut. Because bedbugs aren’t always only found in beds – they love any soft furnishings that get used frequently.
Your “front door quarantine” routine (this is where most people slip up)
Coming home tired is when mistakes happen. Your brain says, “I’ll deal with it tomorrow.” Bedbugs love a tomorrow mindset.
Here’s the routine I use every time I walk through the front door after a trip, especially after using budget hotels or multi-stop travels:
Unpack in the hallway, utility room, or bathroom, not on your bed or in your bedroom.
I learned this the hard way: after a trip, it’s tempting to dump everything on your duvet. That “just for now” habit is exactly what you don’t want.
Put travel clothes straight into the washing machine or a bin liner (then seal it).
This would’ve helped me mentally, because when we later suspected bedbugs at home, the hardest part was wondering what had touched what. We had to wash EVERYTHING. If you used reusable laundry bags, wash those too.
Wash what you can, then tumble dry on high heat if the fabric allows (heat is the key part).
What I do now: if I’m unsure, I prioritise the dryer step for the items that can take it. Wash on a hot setting, then tumble dry everything for a minimum of 30 minutes. If you can’t use a tumble dryer, iron items thoroughly on a hot setting.
Vacuum your suitcase, focusing on seams and zips, then empty the vacuum outside.
This is now a non-negotiable for me, because we couldn’t see where they were hiding once they were home. I also then give it a spray down with this bedbug spray from Amazon.
Store your luggage away from bedrooms, if you can.
My under-seat-size bag lives in my utility room now, and my suitcase goes straight into the attic. Even a cupboard or spare room is better than keeping it next to where you sleep.
Looking back, I did have bites on my hands during that Montenegro Airbnb stay, but I blamed mosquitoes or “random holiday bites”. Then at home I started getting more, in that tell tale zig-zag formation, mostly on my hands and arms. That’s why I’m big on the post-trip routine now, even after “nice” stays.
If you suspect bedbugs at home, act fast (and don’t start moving stuff around)
The biggest mistake is spreading the problem by carrying items room to room.
If you notice bites plus suspicious marks at home, or you find a bug in your luggage:
Contain first: Bag up bedding, clothes and curtains in sealed plastic bags until they can be heat-treated – either in a tumble dryer or by ironing them thoroughly. Treat anything that touched the bed like it needs isolating, even if you’re not 100 percent sure yet.
Don’t move furniture: Dragging things around can drop bugs and eggs elsewhere.
We were tempted to start stripping everything fast, but the more you drag items through the house, the more you risk spreading them. Leave them in place to be treated.
Confirm the signs: This guide shows common indicators (spots, skins, and where they hide). If you find a bug, capture it so that it can be identified by pest control.
Be careful with DIY fixes: We tried home remedies like tea tree spray and steaming our fabric bed frame. The problem was we couldn’t see where they were hiding, so it felt like we were treating the air. These solutions can help as part of a combined plan, but won’t resolve the issue alone.
Get help straight away: We called in pest control immediately, booked through our local council at a subsidised rate. We had two sprays on separate occasions, plus a full room deep clean. We also added a mattress protector and kept up regular cleaning (including steam cleaning), washing and heat drying. We used a bedbug spray from Amazon as part of our ongoing “keep watch” routine. So far (touch wood) we haven’t had any more bites.
One quick health note from my side: I started taking an antihistamine daily. I can’t claim it repels bedbugs, but it did help reduce how much the bites affected me. If you’re thinking about taking anything regularly, check with a pharmacist or GP.
Recommended products for staying bedbug-free
These are the items I personally use and recommend while travelling, and also at home to prevent and help towards treating bedbugs (as part of a comprehensive plan).
Use these in conjunction with the steps I’ve outlined, and may your nights be peaceful and critter-free.
FAQ: preventing bedbugs while travelling
Can bedbugs live in a bag or suitcase?
Yes, they can hide in seams, pockets, and zip tracks, and survive without feeding for up to a year. That’s why keeping luggage closed and storing it off the bed helps so much. After our experience, I also vacuum my bag or case seams every time I get home, even after short trips, and spray it down with anti-bedbug spray before storing it.
Do bites always mean bedbugs?
No. Mosquitoes, midges, and even skin irritation can look similar. Bites alone aren’t proof, so check the bite type and also look for physical signs like dark spotting or shed skins.
In my case, I dismissed early bites as “holiday bugs”, which is why I now take any new bite pattern more seriously.
What temperature kills bedbugs on clothes?
Heat is your best friend. A hot tumble dry (if the fabric allows) is often recommended because it reaches higher, more consistent temperatures than many wash cycles. Alternatively, iron items on the hottest setting the item can handle. If you can only do one thing, prioritise heat.
Should I throw my suitcase away if I’m worried?
Not automatically. If you haven’t seen signs, a careful vacuum, wipe or spray-down, and smart storage is usually enough. And keep it away from soft furnishings. If you’ve confirmed bedbugs in it, I might choose to replace – my bag went straight in the bin. But for a suitcase, personally, I’d rather over-clean it than panic-replace it.
Can you pick up bedbugs on planes or trains?
It’s possible, as outlined in this story that hit the media recently. But hotels and shared sleeping spaces are the more common risk points. The same rule applies either way: keep your coat and bags contained, and do your at-home routine. On trains, I keep my coat on my lap rather than draping it over seats.
What are the signs of a bedbug infestation?
Live bugs, tiny pale shed skins, and dark speckled marks (they can look like brown ink dots) are all obvious signs of bedbugs. Plus raised, red bites in a zig-zag formation, particularly on hands, feet or the face.
To avoid bedbugs during travel plans, you don’t need paranoia, you need a repeatable routine: quick room check, smart luggage placement, and a calm “front door quarantine” when you get home. It takes minutes, and it protects your space (and your sleep). Get into the habit as soon as you can, and soon you won’t even think about it.
And if you needed a reason to take it seriously: I didn’t think it would happen to us either, until it did. And believe me, getting rid of bedbugs is both expensive and exhausting. I barely slept for weeks due to either being bitten or worrying about being bitten. And I really don’t want that for you.
So please, please follow my tried-and-tested tricks for staying bug-free on short breaks, and may your travels (and home) stay bite-free.
Before you go: Watch the Instagram reel I made about our nightmare Montenegro Airbnb stay by clicking the cover image below.
