When I traveled to Europe last summer, I stayed with my aunt in Paris. This summer, for the same length of time, I shall be hosteling with a friend. I have had lice numerous times, and mosquitos give me hundreds of bites each year. I have never gotten bedbugs (knock in wood) and I plan to keep it that way. I'm afraid that these bugs will run rampant in hostels. Is that true? And are there any NATURAL ways to prevent all of these pesky creatures from sucking my blood? I just wish guys would like me as much as bugs do :)
Posted by
Redding, CA, USA
1568 posts
Buy the Silk Sleep Sheet from this site.
Other than that...no idea how to avoid the little buggers.
Posted by
Lincoln, NE, USA
390 posts
I wouldn't worry too much about it. I've stayed in about 20 different hotels in Europe and never had a problem. I've always used the bedding provided, but take a sleep sheet with me just in case, but never had to use it. I always read the reviews for wherever I'm staying and you can usually get a pretty good idea of the cleaniness. Try hostelworld.com or hostelz.com for reviews.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Nobugs is correct. You cannot keep bedbugs out with a sleep sack, they will just climb into the seams of it and then you will be carrying them with you!
the best thing anyone can do ,regardless of whether they are staying in a hostel or a nice hotel, is learn what to look for , and do not sleep in a bed with the signs of infestation.
There are many sites that can show you what to look for, but, I do think it is important not to become paranoid.
PS Dust mites are common and everyone has them in their home, it how many that are the factor in how some people suffer from allergies from them. They don't bother many people at all.
Just in case I didn't make it clear, how much you pay for your room does not always factor in to you not encountering pests.
Posted by
nyc, ny, usa
2 posts
Sleep sacks will not keep bed bugs out. They will crawl right in. The best thing you can do is learn to examine the bed and room for them (which is easy and takes 5 minutes!) If you find them, walk out and demand another room. FAQs on avoiding bed bugs here (including some other preventive steps):
Posted by
Canberra, ACT, Australia
115 posts
Hi Raine
I struggle with mozzies as well (it is currently summer in Australia and the other night i was outside for an hour and i ended up with 24 mozzie bites on my left calf alone!!)
I also used to work in a pharmacy and I learned that you can take a vitamin B complex and that helps keep mozzies away :) I also eat vegemite (which a lot of Americans dont like :) - and i think its actually illegal in the US for some reason) which is high in vitamin B.
I hope that helps :)
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
251 posts
Having travelled a bit, the only time I have ever struggled with Mosquitos was in South America, the Carribean, and when hiking in certain parts of the US. Which is not to say that they don't exist in Europe, they do!, just they don't stand out as a big issue. Nor do I ever remember hostels as being particular bad about bugs, no more than some hotels in Europe, which very often are as about as clean as hostels just with privacy. (If I do have one complaint about hostels, it is the pervasive smell of cleaning product). But I am not one to be bothered by stuff like that and expect it when I am travelling.
I always used a sleep sheet (natural fiber!) and was ok with the blankets and such. Where I do share the line is communal pillows, where people are breathing and drooling into them. I always carry a allergy proof pillowcase and sleep on that.
Pat is also right about mites, (acutally it is not the mites that make people sick it is their dead bodies and droppings, so even if the mites aren't present the dust could still bother you), they are naturally occuring and everywhere I have allergies and was affected living on private yachts.
Unless hostels have changed in the last 10 years I do not remember them being overly dirty or grungy, but then I have never really traveled in the summer.
Posted by
Boston, MA, United States
1806 posts
I spent a lot of time last year in Europe and Australia/NZ and stayed in quite a few hostels and had no problems. A lot of hostels won't let you use your own sleep sack or blankets (for fear of bed bugs). Upon check-in, immediately remove the fitted sheet and check the mattress (especially the seams) for signs of bed bugs, blood or dirt-like stains (bed bug by-products). Look behind the headboard (they hide there). Always try to keep your luggage and clothing off the carpet. I am a mosquitoe magnet-in Australia I draped a large piece of mosquitoe net over me when I slept (buy it at Walmart, REI or any camping store). My skin doesn't react well to commercial insect repellants, so I tried an organic citrus soap from Vermont Soap Company which was supposed to naturally repel insects. I still got a few mosquitoe bites - but far less than I usually do - and the soap smelled really good.