Bed bugs are also described as exceptionally skilled hitchhikers. They can survive for months to over a year without a blood meal, meaning an infested suitcase left in a closet or stored in the car can lead to a home infestation many months after you return from a trip. A Rutgers University study found that marked bed bugs released in one apartment unit were found in five out of six neighboring units within a single month — illustrating just how effectively and rapidly these insects spread through connected spaces. Getting them into your luggage at a hotel is one of the most common and avoidable pathways to a home infestation.
Additional Tips to Protect Yourself From Bed Bugs While Traveling
The bathtub strategy is your most important line of defense, but a few complementary habits will make your travel protection even more comprehensive:
Choose hard-sided luggage when possible: Bed bugs find it significantly more difficult to cling to and penetrate rigid plastic or polycarbonate surfaces than to the fabric of soft-sided suitcases. If you travel frequently to high-risk urban destinations, hard-sided luggage is worth the investment
Pack clothing in sealed plastic bags: Place your clothes inside resealable plastic bags within your suitcase. This adds a physical barrier that makes it much harder for any insects to infiltrate your clothing even if your suitcase is somehow compromised
Bring a small flashlight: A compact travel flashlight makes it much easier to inspect the dark corners of mattress seams, drawer joints, and headboard crevices. The flashlight on your smartphone works well for this purpose
Avoid placing anything directly on upholstered furniture: Clothes, bags, electronics, and personal items should all stay off beds, chairs, and sofas until you have completed your room inspection
Keep clothes in your luggage for short stays: If you are only staying one or two nights, consider leaving your clothes inside your zipped suitcase rather than unpacking them into the drawers or closet
Leave a note for housekeeping: If you keep your luggage in the bathtub throughout your stay, leave a note for the cleaning staff letting them know so they do not move it to a potentially risky location during room servicing
Inspect your luggage before re-entering your home: After checking out, inspect the exterior of your suitcase — particularly along the zipper, in the corners, and inside any external pockets — before bringing it inside your house. Do this inspection in the garage, on the porch, or in a well-lit outdoor area
What to Do If You Suspect Your Luggage Has Been Exposed
If you notice signs of bed bugs in your hotel room during your stay, or if you return home and discover evidence of an infestation in your luggage or clothing, act immediately and methodically. Do not bring the suitcase inside your home. Inspect it thoroughly outside, then vacuum every surface and crevice of the bag using a crevice attachment. Wash all clothing — including items you did not wear — on the hottest water and dryer settings the fabric can tolerate. High heat (above 120°F sustained for 30 minutes) kills bed bugs and their eggs at all life stages. For the suitcase itself, if you have a large enough freezer, placing the entire bag inside at below 0°F for several days will also kill any remaining bugs. Contact a licensed pest control professional immediately if you have any reason to believe bugs may have made it into your home — early intervention prevents a minor problem from becoming a major infestation.
The Other Unexpected Benefits of the Bathtub Trick
Beyond bed bug protection, storing your luggage in the hotel bathtub comes with a few additional practical advantages that experienced travelers appreciate:
