Bedbugs in western europe?

Sorry, guys. I really didn't mean to start a diatribe on the demographic biases that seem to be everywhere in today's society. I was simply trying to see if there were any hotels I'd be better off avoiding. sheesh....

Bedbugs are much more prevalent in the US right now than in Europe - I have friends in my city who won't even go to the movie theatre any more because of their fear of bedbugs. That being said, you can take precautions: When you first check in, look for signs of bedbugs on the bed (tiny spots of blood on the mattress, etc). Don't put any luggage on the bed or furniture while you're staying there (use the luggage stand or even the tub). Once you get home, kill bed bugs by washing everything in hot, hot water and vacuuming your bags inside and out, including seams (or leaving them out in extreme heat or cold). Don't bring the bags into the house until you do the above - leave them in the garage or basement. I have one friend who is a teacher who works in a low-income school and is exposed to them on a daily basis. She has certain clothes that she wears only to school and changes and stores those clothes in the basement only.

Mardee says she has a friend who teaches "in a low income school" and is thus exposed on a daily basis to bedbugs. Poor people have bedbugs is what she is saying. But then, how does she account for the fact that some very expensive hotels in NY City are battling infestations of the critters? And some luxurious cruise ships?

Right, the bugs don't discriminate. Low income has nothing to do with it...I wonder how those kids might feel if they knew their teacher changed her clothes every day after spending time with them. Also, I haven't seen anything to suggest the U.S. has a more serious problem than Europe. Infestations have skyrocketed everywhere, and there's a lot of news about it in the U.S. press right now, so perhaps it seems like there's a bigger problem here? I think it's a matter of perspective.

In the age of media hysteria regarding just about EVERYTHING, bedbugs are just the latest paranoia led by the pathetic excuses we have for journalists that are on air 24/7. I guess the swine flu pandemic didn't work out as hyped so now it's bedbugs. If you really want something to worry about, rumor has it the sun is going out since the daylight hours appear to be decreasing daily..... :-)

Mick, you put forth a good question...thanks for bringing up the subject. I live outside of Portland Oregon. This week, on the Morning national news, one of the staff told about his horrible experience with bedbugs in one of our better hotels here in Portland. Bedbugs can be anywhere! I always check Trip Advisor, etc. for the latest reviews on any hotel that I plan on staying in. That is how I ruled out one hotel that we were considering in Porto Portugal a couple of years ago.

Sad fact is, a hotel may not have begbugs,, until the day you check in,, because the day before the little critters were left by last client in room. When you arrive at your hotel, no matter how nice, look for evidense of infestation,, pull up corner and bed sheet and look for specks that look like pepper. Do not put bags on bed, put on luggage rack or desk, not on an upolstered chair. Ps There was a report of bedbugs in a restaurant in Hawaii, they got infested in the chairs and booths( the upolstery) so you can worry too much about Europe ,

You can check trip advisor for recent complaints, but even that's not always perfect. As someone who has been bitten, and brought back a straggler (and then didn't figure out the mysterious once-a-month bites until I found the perpetrator six months later!), I can definitely back up the advice of other people on the board. Check the mattress when you check in (for dark spots or for the bugs, they are visible, about like an apple seed), keep the luggage sealed up and away from the sleeping area, and do a thorough inspection/cleanup when you get back, before taking anything in the house. And if you do find you get a suspicious bite while traveling, be calm! You can still successfully get back without transferring them. They are not pleasant but if you're careful you don't have to be any more than a onetime meal!

Mick,, i just read there is quite a problem in America,, but I am not sure if the infestation has reached the same levels in western Europe ,, yet( hey they hitchhike) .. I have personally stayed in many hotels in Europe over the last 10 yrs and haven't found any yet.. and I look. As noted, check mattress when you check in,, look for spots like pepper( bug feces) or blood spots. Leave suitcases on tables or luggage racks, never on floor or beds.

Pick a hotel and check out the reports on booking.com and trip advisor. There certainly are NONE in our hotel!!