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Bedbugs in Paris
Saw this on the Rick Steves forums. Bedbugs in Paris - even on the Metro.
Here’s a link to a CNN article on this situation.
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/09/30/europe/france-bedbugs-paris-intl-hnk/index.html
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Saw this on the Rick Steves forums. Bedbugs in Paris - even on the Metro.
Here’s a link to a CNN article on this situation.
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/09/30/europe/france-bedbugs-paris-intl-hnk/index.html
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There was also an article in "The Points Guy" newsletter this morning and talked about tips you can take, especially once you return home. Interesting read.
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/bed-bugs-travel/
We head to Paris soon and will be vigilant; however, what is the treatment if we get them?
Read the article on bedbugs that the Points Guy reprinted recently. I knew this, but basically, once you get them in your home, the most sure way to eradicate other than lots of chemicals all over your household is to heat the entire house to up to 170 degrees Fahrenheit which will kill them. Anything you think may be damaged by heat may have to be removed, but then you risk reintroducing them You may have to replace all your bedding. The bugs are not just in your bed, you find them in any dark place like behind pictures on your bedroom wall and so on. Basically it is a nightmare.
How about tented fumigation?
I’m not sure Alan, I thought that might be an option but have never read it as a cure for bedbugs.
Alan - I think it's likely that British was referring to tented fumigation when she said 'other than lots of chemicals all over your household'.
You can google how to eliminate bedbugs, as I stated, it’s a nightmare. Try finding the info here, it’s the first article I just read. https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-home-guide/how-to-get-rid-of-bed-bugs
I do know a friend of a friend who got bedbugs in New York and it abut destroyed their mental health.
I’ve never looked for bedbugs in a hotel room 😟 Has anyone out there, or will they now?
Tented fumigation, is actually safer for you and your house and belongings and more effective than high temps. The temps, 117°F-125F°F – Lethal for adult bed bugs, 125°F or Higher – Lethal to bed bug eggs, though not as high as cited by British are not good for electronics, cameras, etc. and heat sensitive materials. You and your pets must leave your home during fumigation (1 - 3 hours) and stay out for a day or more depending on the size of the structure, but once fumigation is done, and house ventilated, no persistent chemicals or fumes remain and the gas can get into all the nooks and crannies that may to reach the required temp.
I asked my daughter who works for Marriott International and she advised inspecting your bed before unpacking when you check into any hotel room. Pull back the sheets and mattress pad and look for bugs, excrement, or blood stains in the seams of the mattress especially at the corners. Look behind bed frames. Report problems immediately. Hotels fumigate the room, adjacent rooms, including rooms above and below the compromised room. She advises that with people traveling more internationally there will be an uptick in bed bugs in the US. Yikes!
I had a visitor once that brought bed bugs to my condo, started in the guest room, then moved to the living room, my office and at the end my bedroom. I had a bed bug specialist come in and he fumigated the house after which there were 6 more treatments. Needless to say I had to get rid of all the sheets (had sealed mattress covers so did not have to replace them), comforters, blankets, etc and had to replace a couch and love seat, it was a nightmare and very, very costly, it took 6 months to get rid of them completely, I slept in my sofa bed for months as it was the only bed that was not infected. I do not wish them on anyone.
I found a bedbug in a hotel in Boston once. I captured it in a ziplock bag and insisted on speaking to the hotel manager in private. That was not easy to do, but he was very appreciative when he saw ‘the problem’.
To add to chitraveler, we have been doing this for years, but I also just saw a recommendation to turn off the lights in the room and use your flashlight to do the inspection. They run to hiding places in the light. You still can't always find them. I got plenty of bedbug bites in an AirBNB in Florence last year,but we never found any bugs, and I just returned from an East Coast road trip where we found a bedbug on a bed in a nice hotel, a sister property to the one in Bar Harbor that Tauck uses. Fortunately, no bites this time. The incident is still being investigated. We also captured it and photo'ed it. My home professional exterminator confirmed it was a bedbug, but the hotel is still saying they are not sure. We noticed the hotel was frequented by tour groups. Bedbugs are definitely out there and it is good to be aware. Never put your suitcases or bags on beds, ever. Leave your bags in the bathroom until you do your room inspection. Inspect the seams and folds of your luggage and bags daily with your flashlight.
There are loads of other tips and suggestions online and on Youtube. Travel is getting scary enough without having to add to the list of potential nightmares, so I don't wish to freak everyone out, but as has been mentioned, a little time spent at being cautious can save big headaches.
For years I have followed the same routine to mitigate bringing home unwanted critters in my luggage...
After a trip I unpack in the garage and sort the clothing by home laundering and dry cleaning. The home laundering goes straight into the washing machine. The dry cleaning is placed in a bag and remains in the garage until I take it to the cleaners.
The luggage interior is vacuumed and wiped with a mild solution paying close attention to seams. I then sanitize the interior. I then clean the exterior and remove any scuff marks and inspect for damage. The luggage remains in the garage until completely dry before storing in a closet I refer to as 'the travel closet."
I always keep small cedar pieces in my luggage at all times. I purchased them at a luggage store, but I think you might be able to find them in the home furnishing/bedding section of department stores.
Wan - Were you able to find the shirt(s) you wanted at LL Bean in Freeport, ME?
kfnknfzk, yes we do a similar routine outdoors, dumping contents of suitcase onto an old white bedsheet to check for hitchhikers.
(Thanks for asking about the shirt. Yes I did find exactly one left in his size. Not exactly his first choice color, it is a rather minty mouthwash green, and of course the pocket is not ideal, but I think it will be fine for now and not outrageously expensive.)
(That store was overwhelming. We should have budgeted more than an hour to go there. It took me an hour to find the restroom!)
Glad you found a shirt. Yes, the flagship store is huge!
The LL Bean store in Freeport,Maine is amazing.
It is a whole experience.
As is the whole area.