A hotel worker has issued a stark warning about the dangers of bed bugs.
When you go on holiday you may stress about packing the right items, remembering your tickets or falling in love with someone who lives impractically far away from your home town.
One hotel worker has argued that at the top of your worry list should be the cleanliness of your room, the Daily Star reports.
Travel insider Halee has a checklist that she goes through every time she enters a hotel, to ensure it is up to her exacting standards.
This includes checking for bed bugs, which have a horrible habit of biting people mercilessly and then hitching a ride back to their own homes.
In a clip posted on TikTok Halee showed a couple waking up in a hotel room covered in scars.
"I’ve been working in the hotel industry for 15 years and I own a hotel sales support company," she says in the video. “This is how I check my rooms before I get unpacked and settled in.”
Halee explained that she carries a torch with her when staying away from home, and that she makes sure the room is dark to do her checks.
The TikTok creator said: “Turn off lights, close any shades, and use the flashlight on your phone.”
Then she checks under the bed and in any dark nocks and crannies of the room as bed bugs like to live in “corners and the creases” of bedclothes.
Halee continued: “The reason you should check your bed with the lights off is because bed bugs are actually nocturnal so they’re more likely to be out and about looking for their prey.”
Blood spots on any fabric are also an indicator that bed bugs have made their home in the room.
The hotel worker also said you should do the checks before unpacking your bags or putting them on the bed.
Guests may want to leave their bags in the bathroom while they do this, to make sure the bugs don't jump onto those.
Tiled lavatories are the least likely to have bed bug infestations as there are few fabrics like carpet for them to hide in.
If you put your bag on the bed or unpack the pests might move into your clothes and suitcase and travel home with you.
Halee also recommended checking the mini fridges, curtains and ironing boards for cleanliness.
She added: “I always run my finger over the headboard to check for dust.”
It's not the first time a travel insider has warned Brits to be wary of the creatures.
One flight attendant has previously revealed how to avoid bringing them back in your luggage as it can be so easy for them to get into your bags and leave you with unwanted guests when you head home.
The cabin crew member explained: "I went and got those giant Ziploc bags. They are great for putting in smelly dirty clothes in, as well as clean clothes so all your stuff is separate.
"I still spray the outside of my bag for dust mites and bedbugs, but at least I know the stuff inside is clean and doesn't smell because it's in those giant Ziploc bags."
