How to Locate Hidden Cameras in an Airbnb: Help from a Bug Sweep Professional
Staying in an Airbnb or vacation rental should feel like a home away from, but what if someone is watching you remotely? In the recent years hidden surveillance devices have been found in short-term rentals, knowing how to locate hidden cameras in an Airbnb is important to ensure you and your family's privacy.
As a professional bug sweep and technical surveillance countermeasures company, we’ve helped many clients protect their privacy at home and while traveling. In this article, we provide the common signs of hidden surveillance devices and steps you can take to locate and remove hidden cameras.
Why Hidden Cameras in Airbnbs Are a Major Problem
Hidden cameras in Airbnbs aren't just a conspiracy theory, they’re a growing issue. There have been numerous reports of guests discovering cameras in smoke detectors, USB charging boxes, alarm clocks, or even bathroom vents.
Where Are Hidden Cameras Usually Placed?
During our professional bug sweeps, we’ve found cameras in places you wouldn’t expect. Here are the most common spots:
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Smoke detectors
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Alarm clocks or bedside radios
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Vents or air purifiers
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Picture frames or wall art
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TVs and entertainment systems
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USB chargers and electrical outlets
These devices often contain tiny pinhole lenses, making them hard to notice unless you’re actively looking.
How to Locate Hidden Cameras in an Airbnb
- Do a Visual Inspection Start with a visual scan of the space. Look for anything that seems oddly placed or out of the ordinary. For example:
A smoke detector pointed directly at the bed.
A motion detector in a bathroom.
Pro tip: Shine a flashlight into suspicious devices. Camera lenses will often reflect light back at you.
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Use Your Smartphone Camera Your phone’s front-facing camera can sometimes pick up infrared light. Try turning off the lights in the room and scanning with your camera. If you see a small glowing dot, it could be an active recording device.
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Download a Network Scanner Use apps like Fing to scan the Airbnb’s Wi-Fi network. Look for suspicious devices, especially those labeled with terms like "IP camera" or unknown manufacturer names.
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Buy or Rent a Professional RF Detector A bug sweep device—also known as an RF (radio frequency) detector—can help you locate wireless surveillance tools. These tools pick up the frequencies emitted by most wireless cameras.
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Hire a Professional Bug Sweep Team If you suspect you're being watched or just want peace of mind, hire a professional bug sweep service. We use advanced technology to detect both wired and wireless devices, no matter how well they’re hidden.
What to Do If You Find a Hidden Camera
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Document It: Take pictures or videos as evidence.
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Unplug or block it: Cover the lens or disconnect power.
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Report to Airbnb: Airbnb has strict policies against hidden surveillance in private areas.
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File a police report: Especially if you find cameras in bathrooms or bedrooms.
Your Privacy Matters
Whether you're traveling for work or a weekend getaway, your privacy should never be compromised. Knowing how to locate hidden cameras in an Airbnb is a skill every traveler should have.
If you want peace of mind, consider a professional bug sweep—whether for your vacation rental, your home, or your office. Our experienced investigators specialize in technical surveillance countermeasures (TSCM) and can help ensure you’re not being watched.
Need Help with a Bug Sweep?
Our team provides discreet and thorough hidden camera detection services for homes, businesses, and vacation rentals.
The following services will be provided:
- RF Detection Scan: Using industry-leading RF detection equipment from Research Electronics International (REI), we will scan any radio frequency transmissions from hidden devices that may be transmitting.
- FLIR Thermal Scan: A complete thermal scan of the residence will be conducted to detect any active electronic devices based on their heat signature.
- UHF Listening Device Detection: We will search for ultra-high frequency (UHF) listening devices that may be in use within the residence.
- Physical Inspection: A manual, room by room inspection will be performed with various tools and digital borescopes, covering all common hiding spots for cameras, listening devices or signs of previously installed devices.
