At a glance
The most useful check is the one housekeeping does at every departure, on the mattress, headboard, bedside tables and luggage area. At the slightest doubt, the room comes off sale until a professional inspection.
Bed bugs arrive with suitcases, whatever the category of the property. In a timed clean, the first traces are easy to miss.
This protocol is for head housekeepers, room attendants and B&B owners who do their own cleaning. It relies on gestures that never change and one clear rule when in doubt.
When to inspect
At check-out, with the mattress uncovered: that is the full check. On stay-over cleans, a look at pillowcases and sheets is enough. On top of that, schedule a thorough inspection at regular intervals, with the headboard taken down and the bed base lifted.
The route, always in the same order
From the bed to the rest of the room, with a torch.
- Pillowcases, sheets and protector: small blood spots, black dots.
- Mattress: piping, seams, handles, head end first.
- Bed base: corners, staples, joints with the legs.
- Headboard: rear side and the brackets fixing it to the wall.
- Bedside tables: drawers, underside and back panel.
- Luggage stand, armchair, skirting and power sockets around the bed.
If in doubt
Staff are not asked to make a diagnosis, only to react the same way every time. Photo of the sign, nothing moved, the head housekeeper informed and the room blocked in the booking system. Linen goes out in a sealed bag, the trolley stays in the corridor. The technician then inspects the room and its neighbours, and treats the sources found.
Keeping a record
One sheet per room with the date, name and result is enough. If there is a complaint, it shows checks were being made; for the technician, it shows how long the room had been clear.
The check-out inspection in 5 steps
Built into the departure clean, before making the bed.
- 1
Step 1
Leave the trolley outside
Only the equipment needed goes into the room.
- 2
Step 2
Strip the bed
Linen rolled inwards, looked over, then put in a sealed bag.
- 3
Step 3
Inspect the bedding
Low-angle light on seams, piping, corners and bed-base staples.
- 4
Step 4
Check the surroundings
Headboard, bedside tables, luggage rack, skirting boards and sockets.
- 5
Step 5
Fill in the sheet
Result noted; if in doubt, photo, room blocked, head housekeeper informed.
Checklist to print
Room inspectionTick items off as you go or print the page: it all fits on one sheet.
Your questions
How much time does this add to the clean?
A few minutes per room once the routine is learnt, far less than a room closed for several days.
Should neighbouring rooms be inspected?
Yes, as soon as a colony is confirmed: bed bugs move along skirting boards, ducts and sockets. This check is part of our visit.
Can housekeeping staff carry bed bugs back to their own homes?
The risk exists if personal belongings are put down in an affected room. Provide lockers away from the guest floors and uniforms changed on site.
A room or kitchen to check?
Close the room or area concerned, book a 2-hour slot and receive the photo report the same day.
