Against Bedbugs

Bedbugs don't just get on the sheets - they like to crawl into shoes and get on clothing, so I don't think that traveling with your own sheets will help stop you carrying them on (although it might lessen bites if they are present). I would suggest checking the bed when you first get in the room - look for tiny blood spots on the mattress near the head of the bed. Also, if you think you may have been someplace that has them, once you get home, leave your luggage in the garage or basement and wash and dry (or dry clean) before you take it into your home. I wouldn't worry about it too much, though - the United States has much more of a bedbug problem than Europe does.

I like bringing my own bedbugs. I know where they've been!

Bringing your own bedding would do just the opposite[INVALID]you'd have a better chance of bringing the bugs back with you as well as spreading them everywhere you go. Best advice, check your room, and never put your bag on the bed, floor or any upholstered furniture. Wrap your things in ziploc bags and have a separate bag for dirty laundry.

Mardee: The problem is universal but is getting a lot of press here right now...what data or information have you seen that suggests the U.S. has more of a problem than Europe? Just curious.

Exactly what Frank said, check your room carefully for bed bugs and don't leave things laying on the floor - bedbugs will hitch a ride on items other than bedding............ Because of the potential to spread bedbugs, a lot of places won't allow you to use your own bedding. I've been fortunate never to run into them but I also don't know how to get rid of them if I did. I'm also not sure if using your own bedding would keep you from being bitten........... If I'm going to be staying in very budget lodging, I'll pack a towel as well as all toiletries including soap (paper body wash sheets from REI) and shampoo. Last trip I didn't bring a towel, soap or shampoo because I knew they would be provided......... I see a pillow case as a personal choice. Some people sleep much better with a familiar pillow case. It's never been a big deal for me so I don't pack one.

Alan, as the others have said, taking your own bedding and towel is NOT a realistic solution for avoiding bedbugs. One question that occurred to me in reading your post - do you carry these items when you travel using Hotels in the U.S.??? As Brad suggested, you may not be allowed to use your own bedding in some places, as this could actually increase the problem! You'll likely have limited laundry facilities when travelling, so unless you have some way of washing your bedding between Hotels, you could actually be bringing the bugs from one Hotel to the next one. This is one reasons Hostels prohibit use of Sleeping Bags - there's a strong possibility of "cross contamination". So far I've never encountered bed bugs in any Hotel or Hostel in Europe. Regarding the towels, most Hotels use fairly "rigourous" methods for washing towels so I doubt you'd have a problem with those. The only time you need to bring your own Towel is if you'll be staying in Hostels, as towels are not usually provided (although they can sometimes be rented). Happy travels!

MICHAEL, I've also seen several press reports lately about Bed Bug "epidemics" in some parts of the U.S. FOR EXAMPLE: * travel.usatoday.com/hotels/post/2010/09/tripadvisor-reviews-bed-bug-references-up-12-in-nyc/110940/1 * OR * www.cnn.com/2010/US/07/28/new.york.bed.bug.battle/index.html * OR * www.businessinsider.com/amc-empire-25-bed-bugs-2010-8 * (cut & paste the links inside the asterisks). The fact that an infestation occurred in a Movie Theatre is a good example of easily they spread. Cheers!

One general suggestion for everyone which has nothing to do with bedbugs.....whenever you check into a hotel anywhere, the bed might have a bedspread on it. After checking for bedbugs, take that bedspread off and put it far away from the bed. Sadly, they are not cleaned as often as they should...and if you're really concerned about cleanliness...take wipes with you and wipe off the phone, TV remote and door handles as they are also rarely cleaned.

I do as Frank suggested, I always remove bedspread,, I know they are not washed between customers. I also do wipe down the phone and remote for tv with a disenfecting wipe. I first pull up the sheets and check out mattress corner,look for evidence of infestation,, I have never found any yet in Europe. I do keep my luggage on desk, and hang some of my clothes, I do not use the drawers. I would never bring my own sheets, if there are bedbugs they will just crawl over them too, and then infect every next bed you sleep in, and your suitcase if you pack it.

I was amazed at the number of helpful responses that came in just one day. Apparently Rick has a lot of readers. So THANK YOU for all the sensible ideas. Overall, you've saved me about $100 in new bedding, which I'm about to return. I'm in agreement with all those who suggested rationales for not bothering to carry one's own sheets, etc. Happy travels to all. Alan Plum

That $100 just might taste really good in Europe (glug glug) ;-)

I read about a bedbug spray, available at Bed Bath and Beyond - don't remember if it was to kill, or to prevent, or both. Anyone else heard of it? Wonder if it would be useful to travel with a can of that?

Allyn-Elaine just read about the bedbug item from Bed Bath & Beyond on TripAdvisor in the NYC forum. Several people stated it doesn't work.

Maybe this is just me, but... I'd rather spend a few minutes online before a trip researching tell-tale signs of bedbugs and reasonable ways to identify if there may be a problem, rather than buying some sort of repellent (and dragging it with) that may or may not work. That way if there WERE signs of bedbugs, I'd have the opportunity to change rooms - or hotels - rather than spritzing the bedding with a concoction and hoping for the best.

Magellans.com also has a "natural ingredients" bed bug spray killer (3oz) for $12.85 that I haven't tried yet but have seriously considered buying. It seems like just one more thing to pack but if it works as well as they say, it would be great to have handy!

I'm curious about herbal methods to inhibit bedbugs - I've heard thyme works. I wonder about tea tree oil (which works a bit on lice). Could you dab some on linens? Sleep w/ thyme under the pillow? It sounds kind of crazy but could it work?

I don't know about thyme or tea tree oil but the Magellans bug spay has: "Clove Oil, Peppermint Oil, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Oleic Acid & water" in it. The reviews make it sound worthwhile.

These natural products don't kill bed bugs but are supposed to keep them away temporarily. Supposedly, they don't like the smell.

I would also go on Tripadvisor before you go and see whether any of the places you are staying have bad reviews. We went to London last March and I booked through AA Vacations. Right before the trip there was a "bedbug" report at the place we were staying at. I called American, and they let me switch hotels with no penalty. They were also glad that I told them about it. The hotels generally won't admit problems like that, and you are generally out of luck when you make a complaint. Travelers have to stick together!!

Just this week I saw a Dr. Oz TV show that discussed hotel cleanliness. They had the head of a supposedly high-end hotel housecleaning dept who suggested wipes for the TV remote, phone, & toilet. She said the MOST discusting thing in hotel rooms in the ice bucket. Won't go into what she said had been found by her housekeepers. Said to always us the plastic bag if provided. She said she never traveled with her family without their own sheets, towels, etc., never used a bedspread, and never walked barefoot in a hotel room. She was more into cleanliness than bed bugs.

If you can get the temp of the room up to 120 degrees, that will kill them. (However, That might kill me too) From what I understand, If one room in a hotel is infested,chances are excellent that most of the rooms are also, so I guess you'd be wanting to look for a new hotel. Trip Advisor reports the outvreak is worse in us THAN europe, so that's good news for us. ALso, there is a website where people are posting addresses of homes, apartments, hotels etc that are infested. DOn't remember if it was US/Canada only, or if Euro sites were included. The whole topic is just making me itchy!!

We just got back from South America and stayed in many different kinds (and prices) of lodging. I just want to clarify that the cost of the accommodation doesn't reflect whether or not a place has bedbugs. We noticed our bites the third morning of staying in an expensive, American hotel (with a chocolate on the pillow kind). I've put stuff in the freezer and so far haven't noticed any critters back home with us. :))

Many hotels in Europe are purchasing bedbug proof mattress covers, changing furniture over to non-upholstery style, using laminate on floors instead of carpet and then of course using duvets instead of bedspreads. All of these things are helping to keep the infestations at bay just a bit. I think I would email any hotel I was interested in staying at and ask them if they are using the mattress covers..... I doubt if spreading your own sheet onto a bed would stop a bedbug.