When it comes to things that Airbnb guests are concerned about, most may be focused on making sure that their Airbnb is secure and that they’re not dealing with hosts who are spying on them in their Airbnb rental. However, guests may not be looking for another potential threat that can lurk on any property: bed bugs.
Bed bugs, while not life-threatening, still aren’t a desirable pest to have around. This is especially true if you find them on your vacation rental property, only to bring them back home where they infest your mattress and other areas. But how common are bed bugs in Airbnb properties? What can be done?
Here’s what you need to know about bed bugs ahead of time to ensure that they’re not a problem during any of your future stays.
Understanding Bed Bug Infestations
Bed bugs are a type of pest that can be carried in from anywhere. Most guests assume that the least popular or dirtiest properties in the Airbnb community are the ones most likely to have bed bug problems. The reality? Anyone can bring bed bugs into a space as they travel via luggage and personal belongings.
Once they’ve made their way to a property, bed bugs will settle into mattresses, bed frames, headboards, and other areas. The longer they remain, the more severe the infestation can become, especially if they have many places to hide.
Signs of Bed Bugs in Rental Accommodations
The reason why bed bugs aren’t immediately noticeable after you make a booking and check-in is that bed bugs are small. Unlike other pests such as cockroaches or rodents, they don’t make themselves known and can be difficult to spot. That said, this doesn’t mean there aren’t signs you can pick up on to detect them (either beforehand or before you spend the full length of your stay amid a bedbug infestation). Here are a few signs of bed bugs in rental accommodations to keep your eye out for.
- Physical Signs: Bed bugs don’t feed on beds; they feed on warm-blooded animals, including humans. As such, bed bug bites are one of the more obvious signs that you have Airbnb bed bugs. Bed bug bites are often small, red bumps that are itchy and form either in a straight line or in a zig-zag pattern, with multiple bites being present in the same area. Fortunately, this should be the extent of the symptoms. Being bitten by bed bugs is non-lethal and should not lead to the development of any health complications later on.
- Environmental Signs: Environmental signs are the signs that you want to catch first when you’re dealing with bed bugs. One of the most surefire ways to find bed bugs in your Airbnb is to check the mattress. You can spot bed bugs by looking for the bugs themselves (flat and brown or round if they recently fed), looking for eggs, and or finding brown stains caused by waste or blood being crushed out of them. Of course, they don’t just hide in mattresses. They can hide in headboards, behind wallpaper or furniture, and even in the corners of rooms.
The more thoroughly you inspect your space and understand what you need to look out for, the easier it is to avoid these bugs.
Tips for Preventing Bed Bug Exposure
It’s very easy to get bed bugs, and bed bugs can turn into a problem in your home if you aren’t careful enough when you first check into your Airbnb. Beyond knowing what signs to look for, it’s also important to know the preventative measures that should be taken so that they don’t become an issue.
- Never immediately unpack all of your clothing and start getting settled in before you check the property. Instead, put your luggage on a hard, elevated surface and begin your inspection.
- Look everywhere. This includes closets, mattresses, baseboards, and beyond. These little critters are adept at hiding, so you want to be as thorough as possible.
- Never take anything with you that isn’t yours. It’s very easy for bed bugs to get picked up this way, and it’s easy for them to hitch a ride on towels and other items in your Airbnb.
What to Do If You Encounter Bed Bugs in an Airbnb
If you encounter a bed bug infestation, it’s important to immediately inform your host that there are bed bugs on the premises. A good host will not only hire an exterminator to remedy the situation but also assist you in documenting everything properly and help you secure a full refund for your stay.
If a host is not cooperative, you may need to take pictures and submit documentation to build a compensation case. Escalating the issue to Airbnb will also ensure that the host is compelled to seek professional pest control services, as their listing will likely be deactivated until the problem is addressed and remedied.
Legal Considerations for Airbnb Hosts and Guests
A pest-ridden property presents numerous issues for both hosts and guests. From the guest’s perspective, guests can and may sue for a bed bug infestation. That being said, these types of lawsuits can be tricky. Guests must not only prove that the host knew there was a bed bug infestation on the property but that they were negligent enough to avoid taking proper action to prevent guests from harm.
Likewise, hosts can sue guests for an infestation. Because bed bugs travel, it’s just as likely that a guest can bring bed bugs onto a property. However, similar to a guest lawsuit, a host lawsuit can be challenging to pursue because bed bugs may go unnoticed for a significant period, making it difficult to determine which guest caused the infestation.
Put simply, could lawsuits happen? Absolutely. Are they likely to go anywhere? Probably not.
Proper Bed Bug Treatment and Removal
The good news is that, if you find bed bugs in your Airbnb, it’s not your job to deal with them.
However, if you do happen to find them, you will want to make sure that they don’t tag along with you.
Achieving this ultimately boils down to two things: quarantining your items and killing any bed bugs.
Quarantining your items, regardless of whether they may or may not have been exposed to bed bugs prevents you from accidentally carrying them into your home. Put all of your belongings in trash bags and keep them in there until you return to your property.
Once home, go through each item thoroughly to check for any live bugs or signs of live bugs. If you do have bugs, thoroughly cleaning clothing items and drying them on high heat will be sufficient to kill them. If they’re on items you can’t put into a dryer, you’ll have to leave them in a hot enough environment or produce a heat source that will do the job. Just be careful not to burn anything down in the process.
The Importance of Reporting Bed Bug Incidents
If you find bed bugs in your short-term rental, you might contact the host, leave, and forget that anything happened.
But while this is a great way to move on, this doesn’t necessarily serve the greater Airbnb community.
Reporting bed bug incidents is crucial because it protects future guests from having a negative experience. It also holds hosts accountable, ensuring they can’t accept future bookings until the issue is resolved, providing a strong incentive to address the problem promptly.
Of course, it benefits you as well. By making the report and documenting the evidence, you have greater protection should a host try to pursue legal action down the road.
Finding a Bed Bug-Free Airbnb for Your Stay
Let’s be clear; you can’t guarantee 100% that an Airbnb will be bed-bug-free. However, you can use some popular tips to get a better stay. Here are a few tips for finding a solid Airbnb that won’t be infested.
- Choose the top properties that have consistently provided a stellar experience for all guests.
- Before booking an Airbnb, it’s important to ensure that it is known for its cleanliness. While this won’t guarantee the absence of bed bugs, it indicates that the host is committed to maintaining a clean space and minimizing any potential issues such as bed bugs.
- Look at recent reviews to see if anyone has had a bed bug problem on that property recently.
Being Vigilant Is Always the Best Move
If you’re wondering about the prevalence of bed bugs in Airbnb rentals, it’s quite challenging to determine how common these infestations are or how to anticipate them. However, there are steps you can take. As a guest concerned about encountering bed bugs, use the information in the guide above to identify signs, deal with the issue early on, and understand the protections available to you for a safe experience on the Airbnb platform.