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Original poster

When you travel, how much thought do you give to bed bugs?

59 replies

ButtercupBluebells · 11/09/2022 15:03

I have anxiety so I do worry about things that are unlikely to happen. But the thought of bed bugs really spoils holidays for me :(
I put luggage into the bath tub when we arrive at accommodation, remove the bedding and mattress and have a thorough scout around. Even then, I'm not completely comfortable and once home again I feel anxious for weeks. I am on medication, which has been absolutely life changing apart from this one worry which I can't seem to shake! So I want to know whether I am being ridiculous or if other people tend not to give it any thought when they go on holiday...

OP posts:
Wigeon · 11/09/2022 15:08

I have never once thought about bed bugs on holiday or went looking for them. Have you ever been bitten by one? Have you heard of anyone you know who has? I’m afraid I think it’s an irrational fear.

Cherry321 · 11/09/2022 15:10

I do look and keep luggage etc off the floor but only because I had a bad experience in a hotel with them. 🤢

Hbh17 · 11/09/2022 15:11

I have stayed in many hotel rooms over the years and thus has never once crossed my mind. I do find it very odd to even think this.

BarrelOfOtters · 11/09/2022 15:12

None till I stayed in a hotel in Ethiopia with them. Somehow avoided them getting in luggage. I travel a lot and that was the only experience. I keep luggage off floor.

ColinRobinsonsfamiliar · 11/09/2022 15:13

OH Christ I’d never thought of it but now I do!!
I travel loads with work.
Fuck.

Clunkclicksuckmydick · 11/09/2022 15:14

Don't give it any thought at all. Never even crosses my mind.

nicky2512 · 11/09/2022 15:14

I’m paranoid! Sleep on a towel on top of the bed covers. Someone’s now going to tell me I’m ridiculous and if they are there, they will still get me but it makes me feel a wee bit better!!

picklemewalnuts · 11/09/2022 15:15

I am starting to panic. DS stayed in a cheap hotel last week, and is doing two separate weeks in hotels this month and next.

I can't bring myself to tell him to inspect the beds or quarantine his luggage- I don't want to start him worrying when he has more important things to think about! I am worrying though!

carefullycourageous · 11/09/2022 15:16

It crosses my mind but I wouldn't say I worry about it.

ApolloandDaphne · 11/09/2022 15:17

It has never crossed my mind.

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 11/09/2022 15:19

None

RascafríaMom · 11/09/2022 15:22

Thought about it as we have had them in our home and they are awful. (A visitor to our home gave us to them. Not a hotel.) I do take a general and cursory look around for obvious signs of an infestation, and check reviews to make sure none mention the critters but don't go beyond that.

SunlightThroughTrees · 11/09/2022 15:23

I got bitten by bed bugs in holiday accommodation a couple of years ago. It was unpleasant and uncomfortable but they didn’t travel back with me to my home (though I’ve heard horror stories of this happening) so it was fine once I got back. So just wanted to reassure you that if you are unlucky enough to stay somewhere with bed bugs it might not be anything other than an itchy inconvenience whilst you’re there.

It sounds really stressful worrying about it though; I really hope that someone is able to offer some helpful advice on how to overcome this fear so that you can enjoy your holidays again.

LangClegsInSpace · 11/09/2022 15:29

Since we had bedbugs a few years ago I do now take precautions - suitcase in bath, checking mattress and bedframe. But I know there's also a fair chance that one of us brought them home from a London bus seat and I refuse to just never sit down on a bus ever again..

I was completely paranoid for a long time but I'm more relaxed now. I know how to get rid of them if we ever get them again.

MrsFezziwig · 11/09/2022 15:30

None, until now.
Thanks OP.

IdiotCreatures · 11/09/2022 22:45

It definitely crosses my mind. Knock on wood has been fine so far.

SomePosters · 11/09/2022 22:48

Once you know, you know!

This is why they say ignorance is bliss.

Kanaloa · 11/09/2022 22:50

I don’t worry about it. If it happens, it happens. Such is life. Of course they’re not pleasant, but they also won’t kill me.

MarmiteCoriander · 11/09/2022 22:51

I've travelled a great deal and this had never entered my mind! I did stay in backpackers hostels a few times, 20+yrs ago, but had never heard of them until I moved to the UK soon after that time.

OP- have you been bitten, been affected by them on holiday before?

SomePosters · 11/09/2022 22:52

I have some of the cheap sticky tests for them and pack them To put at the foot of the bed. I also like to take my own bedding if at all possible.

you will know in a few hours instead of being worried for weeks.

KurtCobainsColourfulCarpet · 11/09/2022 22:53

This reply has been deleted

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Stickmansmum · 11/09/2022 22:57

Zero.

Stickmansmum · 11/09/2022 22:58

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

What? Are you on the wrong thread?

Stickmansmum · 11/09/2022 22:59

SomePosters · 11/09/2022 22:52

I have some of the cheap sticky tests for them and pack them To put at the foot of the bed. I also like to take my own bedding if at all possible.

you will know in a few hours instead of being worried for weeks.

No way, really? You bring your own bedding?