However, a hotel employee has shared an important tip that can save your trip from being spoiled by hidden pests.

Although it may seem strange, you can save yourself from finding a nasty surprise if you turn off the lights for a short time.

Halee, known on TikTok as @haleewithaflair, pointed out that bed bugs can significantly ruin a guest’s experience and highlighted a simple method to identify them.

To begin your inspection, she suggests turning off all the lights and closing the curtains, which might not be the first instinct when you’re excited about your stay.

In a video, she recounted the story of a couple who woke up covered in bites after their hotel stay, prompting her to share her strategy for avoiding a similar fate.

Halee explained, “This is how I check my room before I unpack.”

She recommended making the room as dark as possible and using the phone’s flashlight to help with the search.

As she demonstrated, she emphasized the importance of checking the folds and corners of the bed, as this is where bed bugs tend to hide.

She further advised lifting the mattress and inspecting underneath, as well as checking for any unusual marks, such as bloodstains, that could indicate the presence of insects.

To prevent bed bugs from hitching a ride in your luggage, she recommended not placing bags on the bed, but rather on a luggage rack or by the door.

Experts also suggest washing all clothes immediately after returning home to eliminate any stowaways.

Halee also stressed that guests should inspect ironing boards and curtains for these pesky pests.

Bed bug bites can be red and itchy and are often in a line or cluster. Some people may have an allergic reaction to bites. The bugs can be dark yellow, red or brown and generally only about 5mm long while eggs are usually white in colour.