I got bit by bed bugs at a hotel, what do I do now? You booked the hotel for a temporary roof over your head. The management also promised comfort and convenience, however, bed bugs are making it the opposite. Well, it is the hotel to blame for this bed bug’s menace ruining your good night’s sleep and even causing allergic reactions. Worse, they might hitch a ride home with you. Now, if you have been bitten by bed bugs in a hotel, you may be able to take legal action against the hotel or management. This would be a personal injury lawsuit, where you have to prove that the hotel was negligent and this led to your bites.
I Got Bit By Bed Bugs At a Hotel
You need to know the proper steps to follow to get compensation, as well as stop any chance of the bed bugs following you home or to your next destination. So, if you have been bitten by bed bugs at a hotel, you need to do the following:
Don’t Panic
First and foremost, try to stay calm. Not everyone who stays in a room with bed bugs will bring them home. However, act cautiously as if you might have picked up a few. Bed bugs are most commonly found on or near beds, so if your luggage is stored away from the bed, like on a luggage rack in a closet, your risk of bringing bed bugs home is lower.
Gather Evidence of Bed Bugs
Start by collecting any evidence of bed bugs. This means taking pictures of the bugs on the bed. Bed bugs often hide in dark places like the edges of the bed or under sheets. Try to get clear photos of the bugs and any signs of them, like their droppings. Also, take pictures of your bite marks, which is crucial for your case.
Notify the Hotel Management
Right away, when you find bed bugs, let the hotel management know. They should make a report about it, and you should ask for a copy of this report before you check out.
Contact a Doctor
People react differently to bed bug bites. For example, a wife might notice bug bites while the husband is yet to, and vice versa, or as the situation turns out. Some might not have a big reaction, but others could have allergic reactions or even get scars. Whatever the case, see a doctor right away. The doctor can treat your bites and give you a medical report, which is very important for your lawsuit.
Consider a Lawsuit
If you were bitten by bed bugs at a hotel, you might be able to get money for your poor experience through a bed bug lawsuit.
Inspect Your Luggage
When you get home, don’t bring your luggage inside immediately. Instead, leave it in the garage or on an outdoor porch. This is a precaution to prevent any potential bed bugs from entering your home.
Next, focus on your washable items. Place them in a garbage bag and take them straight to your washing machine. Wash these items on a high-temperature cycle for at least 30 minutes. After washing, use a dryer on the highest heat setting for another 30 minutes. This heat treatment is effective in killing bed bugs and their eggs. Remember to dispose of the garbage bag immediately after transferring the clothes to the washer.
For items such as suits and sweaters that can’t be washed in hot water, consider sending them to the dry cleaners. Keep the receipt for these services as you might be eligible for reimbursement.
For the remaining items such as toiletries, shoes, and your suitcase, keep them isolated outdoors until you can inspect or treat them. To kill bed bugs with heat, you can place these items in a plastic bag and leave them in a hot, sunny spot. The temperature should reach at least 120 degrees for an hour or more. Alternatively, if you have a chest freezer, you can place your luggage in it for a day or two to kill any bed bugs.
Contact Your Local Pest Control
So, if you got bit by bed bugs at a hotel, follow the steps explained in this guide to resolve the problem.
Concerning your luggage, if these listed cautious options aren’t available or at your immediate reach, a pest management professional can help you treat non-washables with reliable fumigant strips. Your items should be sealed in a thick plastic bag with the fumigant for at least 48 hours.
Read also: If One Hotel Room Has Bed Bugs Do They All?
