How To Protect Yourself from Bedbugs

I know that we don't want to talk about it, but bedbugs have become such an issue that several websites have sprung up to help travelers scope out hotels at their destination. Check out http://www.bedbugregistry.com/ and http://www.bedbugreports.com/. 

Whether a hotel has bedbugs is not a reflection of luxury or not. Any lodging establishment can become infested because they provide the food source:  sleeping bodies.

So how do you protect yourself ? First thing to do is to make sure the hotel isn't on a "hot list."  Second, is to get out the folding luggage rack with the metal legs.  Pest Management of Texas President, Brian DiCicco, says, "The bugs have a hard time getting a grip on those legs, so your suitcase and its contents may be protected from an invasion."

Next, he recommends taking the sheets off the mattress and look at the seams on the bed — they can accumulate on the seams." The bugs are big enough to see--about the size of an apple seed.

He also recommends removing and inspecting the head broad. Look for traces of fecal spotting and dark brown stain that results from people's blood.

Just so you know, bedbugs don't generally transmit disease. You can consider that the good news.