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Original poster

DH just found bedbugs in his hotel room

67 replies

Bedbugspleasehelp · 22/06/2025 21:24

He is due back home tomorrow.
He just posted me some photos and there is no doubt.
I am googling, but if anyone has any advice please post it! I would be very grateful.
I don't want to have to burn all his clothes and the contents of our house...

TIA

OP posts:
NeilDiamondsBlowDry · 22/06/2025 21:24

Where was this infestation ?

Whyherewego · 22/06/2025 21:27

Basically have him strip at the door. Do not take the suitcase into the house.you can eliminate bedbugs on a hot wash she you can wash his clothes, if it was a proper infestation, Id personally chuck the case straight out

JustGiveMeWineNow · 22/06/2025 21:29

Ah I am sorry your marriage is over he can’t back as he might bring them with him!!!

only joking!! I would make his strip at the door and do the following! ( Except I would bin the luggage or leave it outside until you can spray it with a bug spray.

  • Inspect Luggage: Before entering your home, carefully examine luggage, paying close attention to seams, straps, and pockets.
  • Wash Clothes Immediately: Launder all clothing, even if it wasn't worn, on a hot water wash and high heat dry cycle for at least 20 minutes.
  • Seal Clothes: If you can't wash items immediately, seal them in plastic bags until they can be laundered.
  • Consider Dry Cleaning: Dry cleaning can also kill bed bugs.
Original poster
Bedbugspleasehelp · 22/06/2025 21:36

He is in Italy, in hotel that is like a collection of adjoining apartments. Flying back to UK tomorrow. He has one case and a rucksack. Case is old, rucksack is new. I don't mind destroying the clothes if I have to, we don't own anything expensive and most are old.
What about shoes?
I don't know about stripping off at the door! Even the back door is overlooked by neighbours...

OP posts:
Itallcomesdowntothis · 22/06/2025 21:37

They say everything in an airtight bag. If you do bring it in pit it in the bath (no water). Bugs will leave and they won’t be able to escape.

WhereHasMyPlanetGone · 22/06/2025 21:37

Bedbugspleasehelp · 22/06/2025 21:36

He is in Italy, in hotel that is like a collection of adjoining apartments. Flying back to UK tomorrow. He has one case and a rucksack. Case is old, rucksack is new. I don't mind destroying the clothes if I have to, we don't own anything expensive and most are old.
What about shoes?
I don't know about stripping off at the door! Even the back door is overlooked by neighbours...

Do you have a garage? You could leave him some clean clothes in there and he could strip off and put everything in a bag.

Phunkychicken · 22/06/2025 21:38

We had them and it was horrific but were advised if the weather was really hot and sunny you could put things in a black bin bag and leave them in direct heat for several hours and it would kill them.

Re all the clothes literally he strips in the garden then you hot wash and tumble. Do not bring case or belongings into the house until you can either super heat or steam clean.

Don't bother buying bed bug stuff from Amazon, we spent a fortune Inn it and it did nothing, it took three visits from pest control, 5 x beds/mattresses/bedding etc. Cheaper to buy a new case/wash bag than pay for all that, honestly you can't be too paranoid.

Original poster
Bedbugspleasehelp · 22/06/2025 21:39

I have sent him the advice from google. I am worried about the suitcase on the plane. If he sprays everything and wraps it in cling film will that help? He is flying back first thing in the morning. I don't think he will be able to launder stuff.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bedbugspleasehelp · 22/06/2025 21:42

WhereHasMyPlanetGone · 22/06/2025 21:37

Do you have a garage? You could leave him some clean clothes in there and he could strip off and put everything in a bag.

Show quote history

No garage!
I can leave the bags in the garden.
I can put the case and rucksack straight into black bin bags.
Honestly I could cry. I have had a really awful week and this is just the icing on the cake.

OP posts:
Dollyfolly · 22/06/2025 21:44

I’d ensure he stripped at the door and I’d be doing away with all luggage and even if it was Louis Vuitton, still in the bin. Or better, in a big fire. Better safe than sorry.

CalicoPusscat · 22/06/2025 21:44

How awful, hope it gets sorted soon. You've made me a bit nervous as I'm in a hotel at present!

Snuppeline · 22/06/2025 21:44

Do you have a large chest freezer? You could put the case and rucksack in there with all contents? I would leave it for a week in the freezer personally. Or leave in direct sunlight wrapped in a bag as suggested by someone else. Kill by either cold or heat.

Original poster
Bedbugspleasehelp · 22/06/2025 21:46

Snuppeline · 22/06/2025 21:44

Do you have a large chest freezer? You could put the case and rucksack in there with all contents? I would leave it for a week in the freezer personally. Or leave in direct sunlight wrapped in a bag as suggested by someone else. Kill by either cold or heat.

Don't have a chest freezer either.

OP posts:
CalicoPusscat · 22/06/2025 21:47

@Bedbugspleasehelp it will get better, some weeks are really shit then things improve

JazzyBBBG · 22/06/2025 21:48

Has he got to put his case in the car? No idea how you stop them transferring to the car.

Original poster
Bedbugspleasehelp · 22/06/2025 21:51

CalicoPusscat · 22/06/2025 21:47

@Bedbugspleasehelp it will get better, some weeks are really shit then things improve

Thank you. I just attended the funeral of a relative I was very close to and I just didn't need this.

OP posts:
JemimaTiggywinkles · 22/06/2025 21:51

If you can afford it I’d throw everything away. As in straight into the wheelie bin. At the back door strip to underwear (clothes into bin bag), step inside, chuck underwear into bin bag and put on clean clothes. I’d prefer my neighbours not to see me in underwear, but I’d risk that over bed bugs tbh.

sciaticafanatica · 22/06/2025 21:51

If you are planning on destroying his stuff then tell him to leave it!
strip at the door and then destroy the clothes and shoes he came home with

candycane222 · 22/06/2025 21:52

Anything he doesn't want he could leave behind in the hotel? (Less bugs to share on the plane too?)

Can he buy a roll of binbags and some clipits , then a cheap case/holdall for what he does want to keep, and a new pair of shorts, tshirt and flipflops, change in a loo near the shop, everything brought home in the new bag, already sealed in bin bags. Obviously risk of cross contamination but might reduce the risk at the various "transfers" when he gets home.

(He could even sort into lights, darks and dry clean)

I stress I am lucky enough not to have ever dealt with this myself so just putting this out there and others may know better.

Really sorry this has happened on top of your shite week OP.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 22/06/2025 21:53

JazzyBBBG · 22/06/2025 21:48

Has he got to put his case in the car? No idea how you stop them transferring to the car.

At some airports you can get your cases wrapped in plastic. I think it’s a security thing but ought to keep the little bed bug critters trapped too I would think.

Original poster
Bedbugspleasehelp · 22/06/2025 21:53

He will have to put the case in the hire car, then onto the plane. I suppose he will have to tell them! I am sure they will clean the car, but I don't know if the normal cleaning will be enough. I don't know about the plane.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bedbugspleasehelp · 22/06/2025 21:54

Muchtoomuchtodo · 22/06/2025 21:53

At some airports you can get your cases wrapped in plastic. I think it’s a security thing but ought to keep the little bed bug critters trapped too I would think.

Show quote history

Yes, I will tell him to get the case wrapped.

OP posts:
Remmy123 · 22/06/2025 21:56

I had bedbugs abroad bitten terribly ... I unpacked and washed all clothes I didn't do anything differently and none transferred!!

JazzyBBBG · 22/06/2025 21:58

Bedbugspleasehelp · 22/06/2025 21:53

He will have to put the case in the hire car, then onto the plane. I suppose he will have to tell them! I am sure they will clean the car, but I don't know if the normal cleaning will be enough. I don't know about the plane.

I meant your car when he gets back

Optimustime · 22/06/2025 21:58

Just leave the case! Come back with a wallet, passport and phone.