January is a popular time for a holiday. Millions of people head off on an extended festive holiday, or try to get a bit of winter sun but as tourists touch down, some may be bringing home an unwanted guest.

Bed bugs are incredibly easy to pick up, and once you've brought them home, they are near impossible to get rid of. These tiny bugs feast on blood and establish themselves in your home firmly. According to Stacey Hamilton, a seasoned travel expert at Private Tours England, there is one simple hotel room check every traveller should do before unpacking if they want to make sure they make it home without a bedbug as a stowaway.

She said: "People are tired when they arrive, particularly after winter travel. They want to throw their bags down and relax, but that's exactly when mistakes happen."

January is a deceptive time of year. Hotels may look calm, but often they have fewer staff on, which means rooms may not be inspected as thoroughly as expected.

The increase in types of guests also increases the chances of bedbugs. Stacey said: "You have business travellers, short-notice bookings and extended festive stays. That mix increases wear and tear on rooms."

To ensure you don't pick up bedbugs, Stacey says you need to thoroughly check your room before you unpack.

She said: "Once you unpack, it becomes much harder to argue that any issue wasn't caused by you.

"Pull back the sheets slightly and look at the mattress seams. Check the headboard, especially where it meets the wall.

"Look at the edges of bedside tables and behind lamps. These are places people rarely think to check."

The signs of bedbugs can be very subtle, so make sure you check carefully. It's unlikely you'll see bugs skittering across the sheets - instead look for faint brownish red stains.

If you do see the signs, Stacey says it's important to act fast - but don't panic. She said: "If you see anything concerning, don't panic and don't unpack.

"Take photos and videos straight away. Time-stamped evidence is incredibly important.

"Report it immediately and ask to change rooms or hotels. The sooner you act, the clearer the situation is."