Bedbugs?

[Arbo]

Wifey and I had a conversation about the bedbug resurgence that is presumably taking place in the U.S.- especially NYC. In our travels we've never had issues with them, something for which we are grateful. Neither can we think of anyone we personally know that has had to deal with them. We wonder if there is something to the media attention that has been paid the last few years, or if it is mostly hype.

Question- Has anyone here had experience with this pest while or after travelling in North America or Europe?

 

[annsni]

I seriously thought I had bedbugs at home when I started finding what I thought were bites on me. I drove myself nuts for weeks until I finally went to the doctor and flung out I had pitaryasis rosea! Man was I ever relieved!

But I only know one family who has dealt with it.

 

[Arbo]

There's definitely a psychological aspect to the possibility of exposure to them.

We've come to the point where we are downright paranoid when travelling. First order of business is to check for 'signs of life' in the hotel room. Thankfully, there's never been a problem. I understand they're near to impossible to get rid of once a population is established.

 

[annsni]

There's definitely a psychological aspect to the possibility of exposure to them.

We've come to the point where we are downright paranoid when travelling. First order of business is to check for 'signs of life' in the hotel room. Thankfully, there's never been a problem. I understand they're near to impossible to get rid of once a population is established.

Yep - I do the same thing.

As for the psychological aspect - I drove myself CRAZY. I'd be up all night with flashlights trying to catch the buggers! I almost cut my mattress open even!! I've NEVER been paranoid but man oh man!! It was terrible!

 

[kyredneck]

My Dad was raised in depression era Eastern KY, bedbugs WERE a problem; he told me that one solution they used to keep the bedbugs out of the bed was to place all four legs of the bed into coffee cans that contained a little kerosene.

 

[Arbo]

My Dad was raised in depression era Eastern KY, bedbugs WERE a problem; he told me that one solution they used to keep the bedbugs out of the bed was to place all four legs of the bed into coffee cans that contained a little kerosene.

Another reason why not to smoke in bed.

I think I've heard somewhere else about that practice.