Bed Bug Awareness: At home, hotel rooms, dorms, vacation rentals, only 29% can identify a bed bug

NPMA Debuts “Bed Bugs Exposed”: A Series Revealing How These Sneaky Pests Invade Your Home 

Launching during Bed Bug Awareness Week and just in time for summer travel, learn how to spot and stop bed bugs before they take over  

Most Americans don’t check their hotel rooms or vacation rentals for bed bugs before staying overnight, and the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) is shining a spotlight on why they should. 

It’s officially Bed Bug Awareness Week, and NPMA is unveiling “Bed Bugs Exposed,” an eye-opening video series and microsite that shows the mostly hidden world of these elusive pests and what steps the public can take to avoid bringing them home. 

The Alarming Reality: 

• Just 28% of Americans check their hotel rooms for bed bugs before staying overnight, according to an online survey by The Harris Poll on behalf of NPMA 

• Less than half (44%) would leave their hotel or rental property if they found bed bugs, according to an online survey by The Harris Poll on behalf of NPMA 

• 70% of pest control professionals have dealt with hotel/motel infestations, according to internal NPMA member polling  

Only 29% of Americans know how to identify bed bugs, a new survey conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) reports. That leaves most households vulnerable to one of the most elusive pests out there. To change that, NPMA launched an eye-opening video series, “Bed Bugs Exposed.” Debuting during Bed Bug Awareness Week, this series offers a rare, up-close look at how bed bugs behave in real-world environments, helping consumers learn what they look like, where they hide and most importantly, how to stop them before they become a serious problem.

The NPMA team built a mini furnished bedroom and living room set to demonstrate how bed bugs can infiltrate living spaces, burrowing into even the smallest crevices. Alongside an engaging video lineup, NPMA’s new microsite serves as a one-stop shop for fast facts, prevention tips, and educational articles to help you stay one step ahead.  

“Until you’ve seen a bed bug infestation up close, it’s hard to understand just how sneaky these pests really are,” shared Dr. Jim Fredericks, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for NPMA. “‘Bed Bugs Exposed’ gives homeowners an unprecedented look at how these pests operate, coupled with the knowledge to spot the signs early and avoid bringing these hitchhikers home.” 

Education is critical. According to a survey conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), just 28% of Americans check their hotel rooms for bed bugs before staying overnight, and less than half of Americans (44%) would leave their accommodations if they found bed bugs.  

Those numbers are troublesome since bed bugs can latch onto luggage, clothing, or used furniture. Once inside, they’re masters at hiding in tiny cracks and crevices, making them incredibly difficult for the untrained eye to detect.  

“Not only can these blood-feeding pests cause itchy, red welts on your skin, but they can multiply quickly and often go unnoticed, leading to costly treatments if not caught early,” added Fredericks. 

Vigilance is key because bed bugs can hide practically anywhere. A recent survey of pest control professionals conducted by the University of Florida and NPMA found that over 82% of NPMA members have treated for bed bugs in the last year. 89% of respondents indicated that they treated single-family homes, followed by apartments and condos (88%), hotels and motels (70%), nursing homes and assisted care facilities (57%), and college dorms (36%).  

So, if you suspect bed bugs in your home or vacation rental, don’t wait! Contact a pest control professional immediately. These trained experts have the knowledge, tools and experience to properly identify and eliminate bed bug infestations. 

For more information about bed bugs and to watch the series providing lots of helpful information, visit BedBugsExposed.PestWorld.org.  

About the National Pest Management Association  
The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 5,500 members, was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food and property from the diseases and dangers of pests. For more information, visit PestWorld.org or follow @PestWorld on Facebook, Instagram, X, Pinterest, TikTok and YouTube.   

Survey Methodology 

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of NPMA between April 8 – 10, 2025 among 2,099 U.S. adults ages 18+. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, please contact NPMATeam@vaultcommunications.com.