A man’s TikTok video showing bed bugs and multiple bites purportedly suffered during a stay at the Chelsea Hotel in Toronto is reigniting concern about infestations in the city.
The video, posted by temkaslife to TikTok on the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 1, starts off with him standing shirtless, showing multiple red welts on his upper body. The video then captures more than one bed bug on a pillow and sheets.
“Woke up at 5 a.m. to this,” reads his caption, along with “POV: You book a stay at a hotel in Toronto but the saxophones keep getting louder.”
The TikTok has already generated 8.9 million views and thousands of comments from people sharing similar experiences at hotels and rentals across Toronto.
“I just called and complained and I live no where near there,” wrote one TikTok user.
woke up at 5am to this… #bedbugs #hotel #toronto #viral #fyp
CityNews reached out to the Chelsea Hotel, located near Gerrard Street West and Yonge Street, for comment and did not receive a response.
On Reddit, users quickly picked up the video, with several threads discussing recent encounters with bed bugs in Toronto — not just in hotels, but in apartments, short‑term rentals and even public spaces.
“Dealing with them at our home right now, it’s been hell,” one Toronto Redditor commented. “We just got Orkin to come, and they did their first spray a few days ago. We’re still seeing bed bugs though. We have a follow-up spray on Sept. 10, but I’m not confident this alone is going to get rid of them.”
The conversation and reaction from the TikTok video echoes past incidents that have made headlines, including bed bugs spotted on TTC Line 1 trains.
Toronto was ranked by Orkin Canada as the worst Canadian city for bed bugs in 2024, with Ontario cities rounding out the top five.
What travellers – or locals – should look for
Pest control experts say bed bugs are excellent at hiding — and travellers should always inspect their room before settling in. According to Orkin Canada, guests should:
- Check mattress seams, corners and behind the headboard for live bugs or tiny black spots
- Lift sheets and look for rust‑coloured stains
- Keep luggage off the floor and away from the bed
- Use hard‑shell suitcases when possible
- Inspect clothing and bags before returning home