A hotel employee offered her easy way to check your room for bed bugs.
Halee, who has worked in the hospitality industry for 15 years, shared a now-viral TikTok video explaining the best way to scour the mattress for unwanted blood-sucking guests.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: How to Check for Bed Bugs.
For more lifestyle news and videos, go to Lifestyle >>
The US hotel worker urged travelers to turn off the lights and close the blinds before checking every corner and crease of your mattress with your phone’s flashlight.
“This is how you should check your hotel room before you even unpack,” she said, adding that she does this every time she checks into a room.
Before opening her suitcase, Halee pulls up the sheets to check the bed bugs’ “favorite hiding places”.
A hotel employee offered her easy way to check your rooms for bed bugs. Credit: halewithaflair/TikTok
“The first thing you want to do in your room is turn off the lights, close all the blinds and use a flashlight on your phone,” she said.
“While everything is off, get under the covers here… and look under all the folds and around the corners of the mattress.
“They usually like to hang out in the corners and folds. You’ll also want to check under the mattress. Also make sure if there is a mattress topper as well.”
Telltale sign
If you don’t see any bugs, Halee suggests keeping an eye out for blood stains – as it’s a telltale sign that bed bugs are around.
“Even if you don’t see any bugs, be sure to check for spots,” she said.
She says the reason she looks for bed bugs in the dark is because they’re “nocturnal.”
“They’re more likely to be out looking for their prey,” she said.
In a follow-up video, Halee said that in a situation where you find bed bugs, she urged everyone to “document everything” — including what time you check in and your room number.
She also suggests taking photos or videos.
“If you check in and search your room and find a bed bug infestation, a bug itself, or stains, take photos, make a note and take it to the front desk and ask for another room,” she suggested.
“Most hotel employees will most likely give you your money back.”
Halee shared a now-viral TikTok video explaining the best way to search the mattress for unwanted bloodsucking guests. Credit: halewithaflair/TikTok
But if you wake up the next morning covered in rashes, Halee said the first step is to seal all of your personal items in double bags.
“So if you found out the hard way that you have a bunch of bed bug bites, you didn’t get a chance to search the room and you end up finding it, the first thing to do is pack up all your stuff,” she said.
“Pack it in plastic bags, even double them. You can go to reception and even get the housekeeping garbage bags because you don’t want to bring any of that into your car or home.
“You’re going to want to seal everything as soon as possible.”
Next, document everything and go to reception.
“Let them know, they’ll probably give you your money back,” she said.
“If not, they will try to get you a new room.”
infestation “everywhere”
Surprisingly, Halee pointed out that bed bug infestations don’t necessarily happen in every room at the hotel.
“Remember, bed bugs can be anywhere, they’re really sneaky,” she said.
“Just because they’re in one room doesn’t mean they’re in all rooms.
“What you often find with a bed bug infestation is that they are usually in the spaces on the sides, above or below.
“So if you want a different room, ask for one on a completely different side of the building.”
She added: “Keep this in mind when you approach the front desk with a good attitude as calmly as possible because the situation is really difficult, most of the staff will help you.”
However, when the hotel staff refuses to help, Halee suggested calling management or headquarters.
“My skin twitches”
Her video has been viewed more than five million times, with many sharing their own bed bug horror stories.
“You should all pay close attention because I once had a terrible case of bed bugs and it took forever for them to go away, best stop it while you can,” said one.
Another wrote: “Trauma… not even kidding. I couldn’t sleep when I had them. My skin twitches just thinking about it.”
One woman explained why bed bugs are everywhere, even in five-star luxury hotels.
“Bed bugs are not ‘dirty’ bugs. They are wandering bugs. They’ll hitchhike with everyone,” she said.
For more engaging lifestyle content, visit 7Life on Facebook.
Australia’s hidden gems revealed – including the best cake and the best ‘hotel view in the world’
Airbnb guests make ‘shocking’ discovery behind nondescript bookshelf: ‘Oh my god’
play video
Former hotel worker lists the things she would never do in a hotel room.
Former hotel worker lists the things she would never do in a hotel room.
