As someone who has spent my entire life in pest control, I can tell you this. Bed bugs are one of the most frustrating and emotionally exhausting pests to deal with.
They don’t discriminate between luxury resorts and budget motels. They don’t care if you’re on a dream vacation or a business trip. And once they get into your luggage, they can follow you home, turning what should be a relaxing getaway into a full-scale nightmare.
Recently, a viral incident at a Florida hotel brought this issue back into the spotlight.
A guest at the Marriott Moxy South Beach discovered bed bugs in her room, only to be gaslighted by hotel management, humiliated in public, and left to deal with the aftermath on her own.
Unfortunately, this is not a unique experience.
Reports of bed bugs in Universal Orlando’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort and several Quality Inn locations across the state have travelers on edge, wondering if their next hotel stay will come with unwanted guests.
If you’re paying for a clean, comfortable room, you should never have to wake up covered in bites.
This article will give you expert-backed strategies to protect yourself, your family, and your home from bed bugs while traveling.
You’ll learn:
✔ How to inspect your hotel room like a pro – before bed bugs have a chance to hitch a ride home.
✔ What to do if you find bed bugs in a hotel room – and why moving to another room might not be enough.
✔ Your rights as a hotel guest – because Florida law does hold hotels responsible for infestations.
✔ How to avoid bringing bed bugs home – with real, field-tested solutions from the experts.
Florida’s Viral Bed Bug Incident – Why Travelers Are on High Alert
Picture this.
You check into your Miami hotel, expecting a relaxing getaway. The ocean breeze, the nightlife, the luxury of a Marriott-branded stay—it should be perfect. But instead of sinking into crisp, clean sheets, you find something crawling in your bed.
That’s exactly what happened to Kelly Tee, a traveler who booked a stay at the Marriott Moxy South Beach only to find bed bugs in her room. But what made this incident go viral wasn’t just the infestation—it was how the hotel handled it.
Instead of immediate action, the hotel gaslighted her, claiming she might have brought the bed bugs in herself. Let me tell you, bed bugs don’t just appear out of nowhere. They hitch rides, yes, but they don’t magically spawn in a clean environment. If bed bugs were in that room, they were already there before she walked in.
But it gets worse.
When Kelly pushed back, citing Florida’s legal protections for hotel guests, Marriott reluctantly agreed to have her belongings laundered. But instead of handling the situation discreetly, the hotel forced her to count out every single piece of clothing in the middle of the hotel lobby—including her underwear.
Can you imagine the humiliation?
You report a serious problem, and instead of getting an apology, you’re treated like a criminal.
And the compensation?
Marriott initially offered 50,000 Bonvoy points—the equivalent of about $450. Meanwhile, Kelly had to throw away her luggage and some of her clothes, losing an estimated $1,000 in personal belongings. She didn’t trust the hotel’s cleaning efforts and worried she’d bring the infestation home, a fear that many travelers rightfully have when dealing with bed bugs.
Eventually, after public pressure and media coverage, Marriott refunded her stay and agreed to replace some of her lost items.
But let’s be real—this isn’t just about one hotel.
This is a warning to travelers everywhere.
If a high-end brand like Marriott mishandles bed bugs this badly, what does that say about the industry as a whole? How many travelers have been told, “It’s not our fault,” while they unknowingly bring home an infestation?
This wasn’t an isolated incident—it was a wake-up call for anyone staying in Florida hotels. And unfortunately, Marriott Moxy isn’t the only place with a problem.
I can’t believe I’m linking to a TikTok video (I don’t even know how to use the app myself. But you can watch the video here.
How to Check Your Hotel Room for Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are the ultimate hitchhikers. Once they latch onto your belongings, they won’t let go without a fight. That’s why your first line of defense is a thorough room inspection—before you even unpack.
I’ve seen firsthand how quickly bed bugs can spread, and I can’t tell you how many times a simple five-minute inspection could have saved a traveler from an infestation at home. Here’s how to check your hotel room like a pro and make sure you're not bringing home any unwelcome souvenirs.
1. Don’t Bring Your Luggage In Yet
Before you even step inside, pause. The worst thing you can do is wheel your suitcase onto a potentially infested carpet or bed. Instead, do this…
✔ Keep your bags in the bathroom or bathtub—bed bugs hate slick surfaces and are unlikely to be there.
✔ If you must bring them inside, use a luggage rack—but pull it away from the walls first, just in case.
2. Check the Mattress Seams
The bed is prime real estate for bed bugs. They hide in the seams, folds, and corners—anywhere they can stay undisturbed during the day.
✔ Lift the mattress edges and look closely at the seams.
✔ Watch for black specks (fecal matter), reddish stains (blood from previous bites), or tiny, oval-shaped bugs.
✔ Use a flashlight or your phone’s camera to get a better look.
If you find anything suspicious, stop right there. Do not unpack.
3. Inspect the Headboard and Nightstands
Most people forget that bed bugs don’t just live in beds—they love dark, tight spaces, especially wood furniture.
✔ Shine a flashlight behind the headboard. If you see small bugs scurrying, that’s a major red flag.
✔ Open the nightstand drawers and check the corners and undersides.
Bed bugs aren’t afraid to crawl a few feet to reach their meal—you.
4. Examine Upholstered Furniture
That cozy-looking armchair by the window? It could be a breeding ground for bed bugs.
✔ Check along the cushion seams and under armrests.
✔ If the room has curtains, run your hand behind the folds.
Hotels rarely deep-clean fabric furniture, and bed bugs know it.
5. Look for Musty Odors
Ever walked into a stuffy, old hotel room and noticed a strange, sweet, musty smell? That’s not just bad air freshener—it could be a sign of a bed bug infestation.
✔ If the room smells off, trust your instincts.
✔ A strong odor combined with any other signs of bed bugs means you should request a different room—or a different hotel.
What If You Find Signs of Bed Bugs?
First, don’t panic—but don’t unpack. If you see any evidence of bed bugs:
Document everything—take photos of the bugs, stains, or signs of infestation.
Report it to hotel management immediately—and don’t let them downplay it.
Ask for a room on a different floor—bed bugs spread through walls and vents, so a nearby room may also be infested.
When it comes to bed bugs, it’s always better to be safe than itchy.
What to Do If You Find Bed Bugs in a Hotel Room
Finding bed bugs in your hotel room can be a nightmare, but how you react in the next few minutes can make all the difference. The last thing you want is to bring these pests home with you—or worse, be dismissed by hotel management like many travelers before you.
1. Document the Evidence
If you see a bed bug, your first instinct might be to run—but before you do, grab your phone. Hotels are notoriously quick to deny bed bug complaints, and without proof, you’ll have a harder time getting a refund or proper compensation.
✔ Take clear photos and videos of the bugs, mattress seams, and any bites you’ve received.
✔ Check under pillows, in headboard crevices, and along furniture seams for more evidence.
✔ If possible, capture a live bug in a plastic bag or cup—this is undeniable proof.
2. Notify Hotel Management Immediately
Now that you have proof, it’s time to take action.
✔ Remain calm but firm—avoid being aggressive, but don’t let them brush you off.
✔ Ask for a manager—regular staff may not have the authority to handle the situation.
✔ Clearly explain the issue and show your evidence.
Many hotels will try to downplay a bed bug complaint, blaming it on a "misunderstanding". Do not let them gaslight you.
3. Ask About Their Protocol
Hotels in Florida are required by law to maintain sanitary conditions, which includes keeping rooms bed bug-free. This means they should have an official procedure in place.
✔ Ask if they have pest control on call.
✔ Request information on how they handle bed bug cases.
✔ If they refuse to acknowledge the issue, mention Florida’s guest protection laws.
4. Refuse to Stay in the Same Area
A common mistake many travelers make is accepting a room swap next door or down the hall.
✔ Request a room on a different floor—bed bugs spread through vents, outlets, and housekeeping carts.
✔ If the hotel is fully booked, consider switching hotels entirely.
The worst thing you can do is ignore the risk and assume only one room is affected.
Your Rights as a Hotel Guest in Florida
You are not powerless. If a hotel fails to act on a verified bed bug issue, you may have legal grounds for compensation. Florida law requires hotels to maintain clean, pest-free accommodations, and if they fail to do so, you could be entitled to reimbursement for:
✔ Medical expenses related to bites or allergic reactions.
✔ Luggage, clothing, and personal items that had to be discarded.
✔ Relocation costs if you had to move hotels.
✔ Emotional distress if the situation led to prolonged anxiety, lost sleep, or financial burden.
Pro Tip: If the hotel refuses to cooperate, don’t waste time arguing—contact the local health department. A formal report could put pressure on the hotel to take responsibility.
At the end of the day, you should never have to fight for basic hygiene standards. If a hotel fails to handle a bed bug problem professionally and ethically, it’s time to hold them accountable.
How to Know If You Brought Bed Bugs Home
These pests are notorious for hitchhiking in luggage, clothes, and even electronics, only to reappear weeks later in your home. The sooner you detect them, the easier they are to eliminate—so here’s how to find out if you accidentally brought bed bugs back from your trip.
Can Bed Bugs Survive in My Luggage After I Leave the Hotel?
Unfortunately, yes. Bed bugs are survival experts, capable of going months without feeding while tucked away in the dark folds of your suitcase.
✔ They thrive in tight, hidden spaces—making luggage a perfect breeding ground.
✔ They can spread between suitcases, especially in shared spaces like airplane cargo holds, taxis, and hotel storage rooms.
✔ If a bed bug infestation was bad enough to be visible in your hotel room, there’s a real chance they made it into your belongings.
Don’t wait until you start seeing bites!
How Can I Tell If I Brought Bed Bugs Home?
Even if you never saw bed bugs at your hotel, you could still have picked them up. Here’s how to check:
✔ Look for tiny red bites in clusters or lines—often on your arms, neck, or legs. Bed bug bites can take days to appear, so don’t assume you’re safe just because you don’t wake up itchy.
✔ Check your bed and furniture for tiny rust-colored stains—these come from crushed bed bugs or their droppings.
✔ Inspect your luggage—especially inside seams, pockets, and fabric linings. Use a flashlight to spot movement or small black specks.
✔ Monitor your bedroom for the next few weeks—bed bugs tend to hide during the day and only come out at night. If you start seeing unexplained bites or find small insects near your bed, act fast.
If you suspect even the slightest chance of bed bugs, do not bring your suitcase inside your home. The next section will tell you exactly how to handle luggage and prevent an infestation before it starts.