Entomologist Katelyn Kesheimer, PhD, advises keeping luggage in the bathroom while checking for bedbugs, especially in hotel rooms. After confirming the room is clear of them, she moves her luggage into the main area but avoids placing it on the bed. Travel expert Marla Cimini also emphasizes that bedbug problems are common across hotels, from luxury to budget, with Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia ranked as the top U.S. cities for bedbug infestations, according to a 2024 Orkin study.
Why is the bathroom a safe place for luggage?
According to Katelyn Kesheimer, PhD, bathrooms are the least likely places to find bedbugs because people spend less time there compared to other areas in the hotel room. Additionally, bathrooms have fewer hiding spots for bedbugs, and towels and bathmats are regularly cleaned between guests, disrupting potential hiding places. Bedbugs also prefer natural surfaces, and tubs and tiles don’t offer these conditions, making the bathroom a safer spot for your luggage.
What should you do if there’s no tub in your hotel bathroom?
Setting your luggage in the shower stall is a perfectly suitable alternative to the bathtub. Just remember to take it out before you turn on the shower!
