'I'm a hotel worker - you should never turn on the lights when you first enter a room'

Searching for unwelcome visitors shouldn't be a concern during your holidays - but one hotel employee has cautioned that Brits must remain alert whilst they're travelling.

The specialist advises that inspecting your hotel room for bed bugs should be top priority upon first reaching your lodgings, and it's simpler to accomplish when the lights are switched off. Whilst it's rather unpleasant to contemplate nasty insects in your hotel accommodation, the truth is they can emerge virtually anywhere.

Effortlessly transported via luggage, rucksacks, garments and even hotel housekeeping trolleys, nobody desires to share quarters with these minuscule monsters.

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Halee, who goes by the TikTok username @haleewithaflair, revealed there's a straightforward method to detect them before you settle into your quarters, reports the Express.

The hotel employee explains it merely requires switching off the lights upon entering your accommodation. Although this might seem illogical, it's simpler to identify bedbugs in a dimmer setting.

She explained: "This is how I check my room before I unpack and get settled into the room. The first thing you're going to want to do is make sure your room is dark. Turn off lights, close any shades and use the flashlight on your phone. While everything is off, you're going to come up here under the covers."

Demonstrating how holidaymakers should inspect the corners and creases of their hotel bed, she explains: "They usually like to hang out in the corners and the creases," adding "Even if you don't see bugs, make sure you check for spots, like blood spots, because that's not a good sign either."

Halee suggested that travellers should look for bed bugs before they unpack as these pests can sneak into luggage, and also advised checking curtains and upholstery.

For those unfortunate enough to discover signs of bed bugs in their hotel room, Haylee has a follow-up video offering advice on what steps to take next. She instructs her followers to "take pictures and document everything.

"This includes making a note of the time that you checked in, room number everything".

Halee then proposes two options available to disgruntled hotel guests. She said: "If you first check in and check your room and you find a bedbug infestation, take pictures, make a note and take it back down to the front desk." She adds that most hotels will be able to relocate guests to a new room and "will give you your money back, more than likely".

Anyone unfortunate enough to experience bug bites, should immediately gather all their belongings and wrap them in plastic bags, before returning to the front desk to request a room change.

She suggests requesting a refund if one isn't promptly offered. If you decide to stay, request the hotel to launder your clothes in hot water for at least half an hour before they are returned to you.

Even the most spotless hotel room can harbour unseen germs. You can help curb their spread by keeping your luggage and bags off beds, sofas and chairs while unpacking.

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