Bed bugs in holiday lets: how to check before guests arrive
Why holiday lets are at risk
What bed bugs look like
Bed bugs are small, flat, oval insects, roughly the size of an apple seed. They are reddish-brown, and they swell and darken after feeding. They are most active at night, hiding during the day in tight spaces close to where people sleep.
You are more likely to find the signs than the insects themselves. Those signs include:
- Small rust-coloured spots on sheets, pillows and mattress seams
- Live insects around the bed, mattress or furniture
- Tiny pale eggs or shed skins in seams and crevices
- Itchy bites, often in lines or clusters, on guests' exposed skin
- A sweet, musty smell in a heavily infested room
How to check a holiday let between bookings
Strip the bed. Remove the bedding and check the mattress seams, piping and corners with a torch. Pay special attention to the underside of the mattress and the gap between the mattress and headboard.
Check the headboard and bed frame. Bed bugs hide in the joints, screw holes and fabric of headboards, and in the frame of the bed. Move the bed away from the wall if you can.
Check nearby furniture. Nightstands, chairs, sofas and drawers close to the bed are common hiding places. Open drawers fully and check the joints and undersides.
Check the seams and skirting. Run the torch along skirting boards, picture frames, plug sockets and curtain edges near the bed.
Check the luggage area. Guests often leave cases on luggage racks or the floor. Check racks, suitcases left behind and any soft furnishings in that area.
Look, do not just glance. The whole check takes ten minutes if you are methodical. Head torch or phone torch in hand, work around each bed in order.
What to do if you find signs of bed bugs
01Stop the room being used
Do not let new guests into the affected room.
02Do not treat with shop-bought sprays
They rarely reach the hiding places and can make the problem harder to treat professionally.
03Do not move bedding or furniture between rooms
That spreads the infestation.
04Call a professional
Describe what you have found and where. A professional inspection will confirm the extent of the problem and agree the treatment plan. Professional bed bug treatment involves a detailed inspection, treatment that breaks the life cycle, and follow-up where needed, so the problem is cleared before the next guests arrive. See [bed bug control](/bed-bug-control/) for the full service.
Preventing bed bugs in a holiday let
- Check every room between bookings, not just when you remember
- Inspect second-hand furniture thoroughly before it goes into the property
- Wash bedding on a hot cycle and check the mattress when it is stripped
- Tell guests what to look for, most will mention a problem rather than hide it
- Keep a professional's number saved for the season, early action is the cheap action
How quickly can a professional help?
Common questions
How do bed bugs get into a holiday let?＋
They hitch rides in guests' luggage, clothing and belongings, or in second-hand furniture bought into the property. That is why holiday lets with high guest turnover are particularly at risk.
How often should I check my holiday let for bed bugs?＋
Between every booking, at minimum. A ten-minute check of the beds and nearby furniture catches most problems before guests arrive.
What are the first signs of bed bugs?＋
Small rust-coloured spots on sheets and mattress seams, live insects around the bed, pale eggs or shed skins in crevices, and itchy bites in lines or clusters.
Can bed bugs be treated between bookings?＋
Yes. Professional treatment can be carried out around changeover days, so bookings are not disrupted. Call as soon as you find signs.
Do I need to throw away the mattress?＋
Not necessarily. A professional inspection will confirm what needs treating and what needs replacing. In many cases the mattress and furniture can be treated rather than discarded.
Do you cover holiday lets across Cornwall and North Devon?＋
Yes. We provide bed bug inspection and treatment for holiday lets, Airbnb properties and guest accommodation across Bude, Launceston, Holsworthy and the surrounding area. ---
Jack is the owner of SW Pest Management, a local pest control business based in North Cornwall covering Bude, Launceston, Holsworthy and the surrounding area.
More about SW Pest Management →Found the signs of a pest problem?
Call 07552 372561 for honest advice on what you are dealing with, or request a quote for a free, fixed-price visit.
