3 visible signs of bed bugs as experts warn over 'high risk' hotels

Holidaymakersare being advised to thoroughly inspect their hotelbedding before settling in for a good night's sleep, as these areas can be hotspots for bed bugs due to the high turnover of guests. Although thesetiny critters can be difficult to spot, they often leave behind more noticeable signs of their presence.

Mattress specialists at WinstonsBeds.com have identified three tell-tale signs of bed bugs that aren't the insects themselves. And they explain what to do if you find them in your room:

• Red stains: These red or rust-coloured marks may appear on your sheets, blankets or pillows in the morning and can resemble small blood stains. They could actually be bed bugs that have been crushed and killed during the night
• Dark spots: Inspect your bedding and the walls of your hotel room for any dark spots or smudges. As bed bugs move around, they sometimes leave behind dark spots or small trails, which can look like random dark marks
• Eggs and eggshells: While bed bug eggs are much smaller than the adult bugs, they can be easier to spot because they don't move. These eggs are typically about 1mm in size and can be a pale yellow or off-white colour. This colour might also make them more visible against darker fabrics than the brown colour of adult bugs.

The experts strongly recommend travellers to check all fabrics and furniture, including sofas, blankets and carpets, in their hotel room. Contrary to their name, bed bugs aren't just confined to beds.

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They can also stick to clothing so it's wise to do another check before you head home in case you bring any uninvited guests with you. If you start waking up with unusually itchy skin, this could indicate a bed bug infestation.

Not all bite marks will be visible but unexplainable itching is a significant warning sign. Another subtle indicator is a musty smell in the room, which emanates from the bug's scent glands.

Rebecca Swain from WinstonsBeds.com stated: "Hotels are particularly risky when it comes to spreading bedbug infestations, as the high volume of people coming in and out of the room increases the risk of spreading the critters, who can cling on to clothes and luggage.

"Some bedbug infestation signs can be easy to ignore, while others are more obvious. It is important to be aware of all of the tell-tale signs in order to tackle the infestation as early as possible and minimise the risk of spreading them around your home."

If you do spot the signs of bed bugs in your hotel or holiday accommodation, the first step you'll need to take is gathering evidence. This can include pictures of the bugs, eggs, stains or marks.

Then you can alert the front desk or management about the bugs, providing the evidence you've collected. What remedies are available will largely depend on their procedures for these types of situations.

In the interim, shift all your personal belongings and luggage away from the areas where you've seen the bugs. When possible, wash and dry all clothes that might have come into contact with bugs at a high temperature to exterminate any potential bugs or eggs.