Hellobee Boards

Mrs. Bee had a post about bedbugs in their apartment a while back and she has some good tips.

my husband sold pest control and he always checks the mattress/headboard for blood spots when we stay in a hotel (particularly in NYC). We do NOT unpack, do NOT put the suitcases on our bed, and wash/dry our clothes immediately when we return and let the suitcases sit out in a bag in the garage for a while before bringing them indoors.

We go to NYC every year and have only had one room with evidence of an active bedbug infestataion.

@woodentulip: if I were you I would call the hotel before booking and ask what they have done since their hotel was reported for bedbugs. If you get good answers indicating that they've gotten rid of the bedbugs, I'd go ahead and book it. Like the PP said, I check immediately for signs of bedbugs (blood spots on mattress, especially undersides) and I never let anything fabric touch the ground-- we bring our suitcases directly into the bathroom and unpack them there.

If you find signs when you're there I'd get my money back and find a new hotel...!! Chances are, if they're in one room, they're in all of them.

I had to attend a day long seminar on bed bugs a few years ago. When you arrive to check in, ask the front desk directly about the last time the room was inspected for bed bugs. Try to be discreet but don't be afraid to ask. Once you are in the room, place all of your suitcases and purse in the tub. Bed bugs are crafty but have trouble with slick surfaces. Pull the sheets back and examine the underside of the thick mattress seam. They love to hang out in this area. Also inspect the upholstered surfaces in the room for movement. If you find evidence, request to change to a room that is not immediately to the right or left of that room. Running some rubbing alcohol, which is a contact killer, over the sides and bottoms of your shoes will take care of any potential hitchhikers. One last thought, if you can, place all luggage into a large, lidded plastic container instead of bringing your luggage directly into your home when your trip is over. It will give you an opportunity to examine everything without worrying about any pesky critters setting up camp in your space. Hope that helps!

OMG I've never even experienced this before and I have a terrible phobia of bugs so this isn't good for me to know it exists lol

Is this a major thing for all hotels? Have I just been that lucky? Is it area specific?

Blah!