I know they are not restricted to third world or tropical countries, because I've experienced them once in my life, in my own country (Canada).
I haven't travelled a whole lot, and I have to say I was surprised that my first encounter was here (uni dorm on the east coast - thank god it was a short stay!). I really don't know much about them, or what environments they thrive in, only that proper washing of bedding, and cleaning of room will help to stave them off (or am I wrong??)
Curious to know how many of our avid travellers have encountered them, how often, and where? anything you as a traveller can do to avoid them, or protect yourself? how do you check for them before taking a room?
Well once you've been somewhere that you've found them, for sure get all your clothes even washed and put your pack or whatever in a large plastic barbag in hot unlight if possible, as 60C will cook the buggers. But meeting up with them is not necesssarily a sign of an unclean place as they can be transported in peoples luggage unawares, sleeping bags being a prime habitat for them and it is not unheard of for even higher class establishments to get an infestation. First sign of them, even if you have not long been in bed, I'd get up, get the manager, seek a new room and at least get your clothes out for a good flapping/airing if inconvenient to wash straight away. There are also some sprays that might help as well. This thread http://boards.bootsnall.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/656098755/m/95610259 has some info and the CNN article being an interesting read.
Posts: 3739 | Location: Qld., Australia | Registered: 23 April 2004
8 months on the road between NYC and our present location Quito and we have yet to see bedbugs. We have stayed in some seriously sketchy spots too. Im terrified of the little buggers!
You should be terrified of them. Their bites happen in places where its impolite to scratch, and the itch lasts for up to a week.
I encountered them twice, much worse the second time. They love warm,damp, and dark places, which means they hide out in the corners of mattreses, and only come out at night.
A good hostel will close a room if they're found, and then place the mattresses in the baking sun, all of them. places with a lot of traffic have often given up, because they can clean them out, only to be infected by the NEXT traveller.
Sometimes they use chemicals. That's probably more toxic than the bugs themselves.
Now, if I notice them, I move immediately. Once I had to sleep on the couch one night, because I refused to sleep in a place unless I either got a new mattress or a new room. ultimately I moved to a new room, paid more for it, and was glad.
Posts: 2411 | Location: Philadelphia | Registered: 19 November 2004
I had them at home in downtown Toronto and I do not live in squalor, if I do say so myself. They are not easy to get rid of. I started with the all-natural eucalyptus oil approach and moved on to chemical warfare. They're super-flat (except when they're full of your blood) so they squeeze in the cracks in the bedframe.
They only bit me below the knees, especially the veiny parts around the ankle. I had 20-30 bites at a time,and my spouse had none. I have sweet blood I guess. I fear for when I make it to malaria zones. The mosquitoes seem to treat me like Muskol is a marinade.
Hey, TheWanderer, your trip has begun - hope it's great so far!
Posts: 38 | Location: Ottawa | Registered: 20 March 2006
Look around. They are large enough to see. Look particularly under the mattress and in the seams, in and around the bedframe, and along any cracks or peeling paint in the wall or picture frames. Check in the cracks of any wooden furniture, particularly antiques. You can also spot their droppings, which may be tinged with blood.
My grandma is 89 and she still remembers them from way back when. She said the old timers would always check the mattress before they took a room. To do this, you lift up the side of the sheet and check the seam on the side of the mattress. Lift up the over hangey part where there is a place to hide. You may not see the bugs, but you will see the droppings if they are there. This is no guarantee, because they may be newly infected, but it should still help. They also hide behind the headboard and even in the outlet plates. They are not known to carry any diseases like mosquitos do, they're just pesky. G-ma also said they emit some sort of "odor" that causes you to sleep deeper so they can bite away without waking you. EEEW!
"Those who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music." George Carlin
Posts: 265 | Location: missouri | Registered: 20 January 2006
I had an infestation brought into my house by a traveller that bought a mat that was infested. Took me more than a year to get rid of them completely as we would have eggs hatching all the time. Now i have stained mattresses but no bed bugs.
Posts: 75 | Location: South Africa | Registered: 06 January 2006
I have got bed bugs in hostels in France, Spain and Tanzania. I think it's fairly common for places that travelers stay quite often. The trick is, make sure to wash all your clothes,even your backpack, so none of them sneak up on you in the future.
You can also easily get them from camping on the beach - sleeping directly on the sand.
Posts: 1109 | Location: Portland, Oregon, United States | Registered: 03 December 2003
