Another good reason to own an RV!

[AlmostThere]

I just watched a video from the national news on the outbreak of bedbugs! Seems it is getting much worse. The newsman interviewed caught his from a hotel in Portland, Or., not one of the states mentioned on the map several days ago. Those states were mostly in the south, on the eastern seaboard and in big cities like Chicago. Scary little bugs!!
I am not sure if this will work for you but if you are interested, give it a try.
http://www.comcast.net/video/bed-bugs-l ... ws/newest/

[BirdbyBird]

Yep, they are an issue in the Cincinnati area and around Ohio......We get blurbs on the news regarding buildings that the renters have had to go after the landlords to do some serious intervention......

[Redetotry]

Yes, I've always hated staying in motels and this just adds to the reasons, but now it sounds like they are everywhere. Lots of clothing stores in NYC having problems.

[mitch5252]

Yes, I've always hated staying in motels and this just adds to the reasons, but now it sounds like they are everywhere. Lots of clothing stores in NYC having problems.

Well, from now on, I'm just NOT going to stay in hotels/motels.
I'll go nekkid, too.

PS: I saw a similar story online (foxnews, I think) just this morning!

..

[Bethers]

As a former motel manager - every couple years a big expose of bedbugs comes out. Now, I'm not saying the motels don't have them - but they get them somewhere. Where in most cases? By a guest who brought them in. Which means, they are in many people's beds at home, also. Sick, eh?

Now, I'm getting these fleas under control - don't want to think about bedbugs - had to keep an eye out for them for enough years. They are terrible.

My dad served in New Orleans in the service - and my Mom sid that they had bedbugs every place they lived down there. Make you think, eh? Yuck.

[BarbaraRose]

Making me think twice about renting a furnished room in California! I'll provide my own bed, thank you!

[Bethers]

Barbie - you usually find them in the more humid climates - just sayin' - but they can make it anywhere - just like any bug. They travel in people's suitcases. Well, they travel.

[BarbaraRose]

There was just an article on-line for the Desert Sun News in Palm Springs about bed bugs out there. I can use my airbed I got for camping.

[BirdbyBird]

More important is that you check any room out before you bring any of your stuff inside. That works for overnites and any possible rooms for rent situation. You check the seams of any and all furniture, bed, etc......and inspect all over . If the room is clean then there you are. I did that most recently when I was judging the state fair in Columbus and they paid to put me up for four nights. The bedding et. al. got checked first.

[mitch5252]

Before jumping into bed, here are a few spot check tips:

Peel back the bedsheets and check the mattress, running your fingers along the upper and lower seams. Make sure to check the mattress tag, bed bugs often hide there.

Experts recommend removing and examining the headboard if possible. Check for tiny black spots (excrement) that are smaller than poppy seeds. You may also see translucent light brown skins or, in the case of an infestation— live bugs.

Check the bedside table. Look for signs of bed bugs in the drawers and along the wall on the side of the bed that is less likely to be disturbed by cleaning staff and guests.

You may want to elevate suitcases and keep them off the floor, like on a luggage stand.

If you see powder in the drawers or on the headboard, it is likely that the room has already been treated for bed bugs by an exterminator.

If bed bugs are detected, travelers should request for another room. Be sure to inform hotel management.

Just moving to a different room may not be the total answer. You should repeat the thorough inspection of any new or different room you are offered.
When you pack to leave, inspect your luggage carefully first, and inspect every item as you pack to help detect any bugs or their signs. Laundering most cloth items with typical hot water and detergent followed by drying on low heat for at least 20 minutes (or standard dry cleaning) should kill all bed bugs in or on such items. Sealing freshly-laundered items inside a plastic bag should help keep any more bed bugs from getting in those items later to hide (and be carried back with you).

[bluepinecones]

Thanks for the tips, Mitch.
Guess I'll have to bring magnifying glass with me to do a good check of cabin in ARK.

[Bethers]

Good post, Mitch. I was wishing I had my check-list from the motels to post, but you covered most of it.

Remember, motels change the sheets after each guest, but not the mattress cover - so you need to look closely at the mattress cover and under THAT - as the bedbugs and their residue will be on the actual mattress in most cases.

I've only seen pictures of them - none of our motels ever got any (thank goodness) but we also had exterminators through the motel monthly - even though they couldn't go in each room - between staff checks and doing proper cleaning and the exterminators - we never saw them.

The motels to watch closest are the really large ones or the really small mom and pop ones that might not know what they are watching for. Or any size motel that makes you think twice about their cleanliness - lobby, outside, etc - before you even see a room. I hate saying that as I owned a small mom and pop one.

And I never use the dressers - my clothes that aren't hanging clothes stay in my suitcase which I hope to put on a self-standing luggage rack.

[Carolinagal]

Well, I'm just itching all over !!!! I love having my r.v. , because of the convience and my own bed, more comfortable, and I sleep better in my own quarters. After reading this post I am more then happy I have had it Do they get on our furry babies?

Thanks for posting the list of what to look for, Mitch. Sure hope I never have to use it, but we never know.

CArol

[Redetotry]

Maybe I'll just sleep in my van!

[JudyJB]

I used to travel a LOT on business and still do for pleasure.

Two items I always take when traveling are a small flashlight and plastic kitchen bags with draw closures. The very small, but bright, flashlight is something I have taken with me after having the power go out in an extremely expensive high rise hotel I was staying in at a conference. I ended up taking a shower in the dark. The plastic bags are good for bagging up any dirty clothing and keeping them separate from clean stuff. As soon as I walk in the door at home, I dump the contents plastic bag and all my clean clothes as well into the washing machine. I also strip off anything I am wearing. I've done this for years just to get the travel "yuck" off me.

The flashlight is also useful for doing your bedbug search.

I don't own a motor home yet, but hope to in a couple of years. It certainly seems like a cleaner way to travel. Hope to join you ladies on the road some day.

JudyJB