It happens every year: reports of bed bugs by travelers, and hotels. How widespread is the bed bug problem?

Every year there are surveys published and so-called research about the prevalence and location of bed bugs. One small problem: who runs those surveys? Exterminator companies.

And while bed bugs are still a problem, there hasn’t exactly been an explosion.

But if you want to be a careful traveler, a few cautions. When checking into a hotel, don’t put your suitcase on the bed. Instead, put it temporarily on the bottom of the shower or bathtub.

Bed bugs are hitchhikers, and you don’t want them anywhere near your bed. Then lift up the bedspread, blankets and sheets, and pull up the mattress above the box spring. If you see red streaks, then you have a bed bug problem.

Time to check out.