AFA Alaska

Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

Click here to report an issue to AFA
You are here: Home / Hotel Committee / Bed Bug Resources

Bed Bug Resources

Bed bugs are an ongoing problem that each of us need to be on the lookout for when traveling.  From luxury high-end resorts to budget roadside motels, bed bugs do not discriminate with their presence.  By taking precautions, you can lower your potential risk of accidentally letting these pests hitch a ride in your luggage and coming back home with you!

Hotel Bed Bug Tips

1 Stash Your Bags While You Search

Put your luggage in the bathroom while you inspect the room–this is the place in the room where bed bugs are least likely to be.

2 Check the Bed

Pull back the linens and check all the way around the mattress.  Check inside any folds of the mattress or in any piping around the edges.  Also be sure to look under the mattress and behind the headboard.  Look for blood stains or small black dots that look like mold or ground pepper.

3 Check the Room

Search the area immediately surrounding the bed including behind picture frames, under the telephone and alarm clock, and in any books in the nightstand.  Studies have shown that most bedbugs are found in or within 15 feet of a bed, but some may still be further away.  Search the cushions and seams of any couches or soft chairs.  Check the closet before putting your clothes away.

4 Keep Your Luggage Off The Ground

Don’t place your bags on the floor or on the second spare bed.  Since bed bugs tend to hide near the soft furnishings in the room, this is the most likely place where your luggage will pick up bed bug hitchhikers.  The best place to keep your bags is on a metal luggage rack.  If no luggage rack is available, place them on top of a dresser or on the desktop.  Be sure to hang any clothes up in the closet and avoid leaving clothes on soft chairs or couches, the bed, or on the floor.

Identifying Bed Bugs

Two adult bed bugs in a petri dish (EPA website)

Bed bugs themselves are about the size and shape of an apple seed.  The bugs produce a musty-sweet odor through glands on the lower side of their bodies that might be noticeable.  Though bed bugs are usually only active at night, it’s possible that you may find them hiding in corners or seams of the bedding.  The EPA website has more information about bed bug appearance along with pictures of the bugs throughout their lifecycle.

Be Aware of Other Bugs

Not every bug found in a hotel room is a bed bug.  The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has a great resource guide to help identify some other types of bugs that you might come across.  The New York City Department of Health also has an identification guide to help tell the difference between bed bugs, cockroaches, and carpet beetles.

Possible Signs of Bed Bugs

  • Possible symptoms may include unexplained, often itchy red spots visible on the skin. The spots will usually present themselves in rows or clusters. Drugs, medical, mental conditions, and allergies may mimic insect feeding.
  • Presence of scattered brown spots on bed linen, mattress seams, or chairs
  • Presence of small oval brown insects on beds or chairs (see photo above). If possible, take a photo of the insect so the bug can be identified by an insect expert.

I Think I’ve Been Bitten or Exposed To Bed Bugs, What Do I Do?

At The Hotel

Immediately notify the hotel staff and ask to be relocated to another room.  You should ask for a room at least two floors away just in case the bugs have migrated to any of the adjoining rooms.  If the hotel is full, call Crew Scheduling and ask to be connected with the supervisor on duty.  Explain the situation to them and ask to be relocated another hotel.

Back at Base

When you return to base, report the situation to your supervisor.  Be sure to complete a FAIR using Report It! and file a CrewCare report.  Place your luggage in a plastic garbage bag and seal it tightly before putting it in your car.

When You Return Home

At home, leave your luggage in a garage if possible.  Empty your bags and vacuum them completely with a shop vac (which is then washed with hot water).  Inspect all of your belongings.  Launder all clothing in hot water (at least 10 minutes on wash) and dry on high heat in a dryer.  Remove clothing carefully and check for bed bugs and their eggs.

Bed Bug Bites

Bed bug bites show up as small, swollen, red bumps that may or may not have a bite mark in the center.  The bites are very itchy.  It is common to have several bites at a time, often in a straight row on your skin.  Familydoctor.org contains more information on bed bug bites including how to treat them.

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

November 1 marks the beginning of Native American Heritage Month in the United States. Also known as National Native American Heritage Month, this celebration originated from efforts to recognize an American Indian Day in the early 20th century. In 1916, New York became the first state to officially proclaim American Indian Day following a declaration […]

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – October 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, October 28, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met in person at Alaska Airlines Corporate Headquarters to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), […]

Sick Leave Survey Now Open

Your Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) prioritizes your health and well-being and seeks to understand which aspects of our paid sick leave policy matter most to you. We encourage you to participate in the survey, which is open until Tuesday, November 11 at Noon PT, to ensure your voice is heard in shaping our support for your healthcare needs.

SEA Domicile Negotiations – October 2025 Update #2

This session was marked by the Negotiating Committee’s strong advocacy for protections and enhancements that would support the Seattle base as a viable option for transferring Flight Attendants. With insights from Ryan St. John, the Vice President of Finance, Planning, and Investor Relations for Alaska Airlines, the Negotiating Committee highlighted the necessity of combining data-driven strategies with hands-on experience and sufficient resources for long-term success.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 8 – October 2025

During our recent negotiations, the Joint Negotiation Committee focused on key sections, particularly reaching a Tentative Agreement on Lodging and Transportation, which improves food availability and transportation safety. We also engaged with Council 19 to clarify negotiation processes and differences between contracts. Stay tuned for our upcoming session with management from November 18 to 20.

Recent Posts

News By Month

News By Category

AFA News Now Air Quality Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) AS/HA Merger AS/VX Merger Benefits Committee Committees Communications Committee Contract Contract 2014 Negotiations Blog Council 15 SAN Council 18 LAX Council 19 SEA Council 30 ANC Council 35 SFO Council 39 PDX EAP/Professional Standards Committee Extension 2021 Blog Featured Government Affairs Committee Grievance Committee Hotel Committee Human Rights & Equity Committee Industry News Inflight Service Committee Inflight Training Committee JNC Blog Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Latest News Local Councils Master Executive Council (MEC) Membership Committee Membership Engagement Committee Message from the MEC President Mobilization Committee Negotiations Pairing Construction Preferential Bidding System (PBS) Press Releases Reserve Committee Retirement Committee Scheduling Committee Uniform Committee

Want To Stay In The Loop?

Stay up-to-date on AFA Alaska news and information by signing up for our email and text message updates. Click a button below to get started or update your preferences if you're already a subscriber.
Sign Up for Emails
Sign Up for Text Updates