I'm a Travel Writer, and This $7 Bed Bug-finding Gadget Is 'Essential' for Even the Nicest of Hotels

Frequent hotel stays increase the perceived likelihood of encountering bed bugs and create anxiety about cleanliness. Basic inspection steps include checking mattress seams and headboards for signs of infestation. A compact UV blacklight using a 395nm wavelength helps reveal what the naked eye cannot, including stains, dirt, blood, bodily fluids, and potential bed-bug evidence. Affordable models can provide substantial peace of mind for minimal cost. Durable designs are often waterproof, long-lasting, and compact enough to fit in a purse or carry-on. Visible fluorescent stains under UV light can indicate deeper cleaning issues and influence decisions to change rooms or leave.

"As a food and travel writer, I sometimes feel like I'm playing a high-stakes game when visiting hotels. While many people go their whole lives not encountering bed bugs -and I have yet to myself-I live in fear because, thinking logically, if I am in hotels more often than the average person, doesn't that mean I also am putting myself at an increased level of risk?"

"Math isn't my strong suit, so I can't speak to the exact risk percentages, but it causes me enough anxiety that I make sure I know how to check for bed bugs in a hotel. For me, that starts with the obvious steps, like inspecting the seams of the mattress and headboard, but a few years ago, I decided to increase my level of protection and add a small, portable UV flashlight to my packing list."

Read at Travel + Leisure