Inspect your room on check-in. Before you hit the minibar or unpack your bags, lift the mattress and examine the folds and seams in the bed linens for telltale signs of bedbugs--dark-brown and reddish fecal spots. "I do this first thing when I get into a room," says Pollack. "Some bellhops are horrified, but a lot of them smile and know exactly what I'm doing." Consider carrying a small flashlight to assist your inspection.

Keep your luggage off limits. If possible, hang clothes in the closet so they're out of reach of carpet-creeping bedbugs. Pack large plastic trash bags to house your luggage while in the hotel. Once home, don't just dump your baggage on the bed. Wash all your packed clothing--even if it's clean--and dry with high heat. Inspect and vacuum your empty suitcase, then seal it in a plastic bag away from your bed, and if possible, store it in a hot area of your house, such as the attic. If it's warm outside, leave your luggage in your car for a day to cook any remaining critters.