OK, so the current bed bug outbreak has me itching before I even get to a hotel. What do you do to keep the bugs or whatever getting anywhere near you? Gosh, I never thought I'd have to go beyond bleaching the whole room.

Yep, I come armed with bleach cleaner and my own wipes and air spray. lol

I plan to bring my own sheets, pillows and cover. BUT, that wont keep the bed bugs off if they are in the mattress! Plus, I plan to throw away these sheets and pillows so I don't bring anything home.

Anyone have advice on what they do? Is there a spray to kill anything on the bed if there is anything on the bed? I don't care of I don't see anything I am still freaking out about it. We're planning several hotel visits this year.

Thanks ahead of time!

Here's what I'd do. I'd buy a rubber mattress cover (the kind you'd put on a mattress to protect it from a bed-wetter). Strip the hotel bed and put the mattress protector on. After that I'd then put my own mattress pad and sheets. The rubber mattress protector should keep any bugs that are in the mattress where they are. I'd get housekeeping to take their sheets, pillows and bedspread out of the room ASAP to get rid of any unseen bedbugs.

If you've got a hand held vacuum you could vacuum the mattress well before you put the protector on it. Spray it with Lysol, too, for extra protection. Sounds extreme but I'm like you.....I'd just about rather sleep in the car than in a hotel bed!

** BTW...I don't frequent hotels in case anyone was wondering!! **

bedbugs are said to hate cloves and cinnamon

I make up sachets of crushed whole cloves and cinnamon sticks. laddered stockings/pantyhose are great for making the sachets.

I keep these in clothes drawers and closets too as they seem to keep most bugs away. Nice smell as well

Thanks! I like the idea of the plastic cover. But from what I read they also hide in carpet, baseboards, nightstands, etc. I also heard if they cannot get to you they will literally crawl up the wall so they can drop down on their host! How did they get so smart?

I am buying the cloves and cinnamon later this week! Shoot I'll wear pantyhose stuffed with it! LOL

Keep the ideas coming!

Stay at a better place. I like Holiday Inn Express, they almost always have great housekeeping and they wash everything (ALL the bedding, etc.) fresh for every cleaning.

Fairfield Inns are good (part of the Marriot group), and I'm also partial to DoubleTree or Candlewood. I've never had bugs (except at the Toad Hollow Country Inn & Suites).

Bedbugs hide behind pictures, behind the headboard, in the carpet, in upholstered chairs and in the mattresses, on the luggage rack, on the luggage rack deal that you can use to bring your luggage in. A rubber type mattress cover is a good idea but bedbugs are everywhere.

Last fall when we stayed in motels, I was always looking and trying to see if they were there. I was not comfortable at all. There is no spray that you can get that will kill them. The EPA pulled many of the chemicals that were most effective in getting rid of them. Bedbugs have also developed a resistance to pesticides because those chemicals are still in use in other countries.

There are few chemicals on the market that are even approved for use on mattresses and furniture, etc. It's the biggest bedbug outbreak since World War II. The problem has increased greatly in the past number of years due to foreign travel.

Also, you would be surprised what other kinds of things you can find on bedspreads, walls, sinks, toilets and the like in motels. Scary

Our solution will be to go back to an RV. At least we should have peace and quiet in our own place. I just refuse to stay in a motel/hotel anymore. You aren't totally safe in a better motel/hotel either from any of it. You don't have to be poor to have bedbugs or have an unclean house either. It's who brings them in. Cockroaches would be another wonderful one to have brought into your house

You could wear them like a necklace.......sort of like garlic to repel vampires!

You can also ask to see the pest control inspection report for the hotel. That way, if there is a problem at least you're aware of it beforehand.

Kitty, that's what I plan to do and I will have something in writing. It's the joy of going to a town you have no idea what is the best place to stay.
LOL I told Jim I was going to wrap his chair in pantyhose, cinnamon and clover and then sing a rendition of Crimson and Clover to him!

Cindy, I wanted to stay at Holiday Express but get this, it was shut down by the feds! The only other chains available are the Ramada and Best Western. The Ramada looks like the best one. No smoking but hey I need the exercise and can go outside. haha

I could stay at the Louisville Holiday Express which is only 17 miles from Shelbyville but Trip Adviser gave bad ratings for it. *sigh*

We are staying at the Holiday Express in Indianapolis with my cousin who's racing in May. Wish us luck!

I can only wish. We can't afford a RV but the dream is nice. A wheelchair accessible RV is quite expensive not to mention the gas cost.
*sigh*

It won't be a new one but a very carefully examined used one. That means everything in it not just looking for bugs.

We don't need a wheelchair accessible one so no worry there.

We would be looking at a camping trailer, not long and huge or a lot of money. The gas cost isn't that much for the pickup we have. For a big RV, yes it is a factor. But, that's not the route we are taking. Over the years, we have had about every kind of RV, from motorhome to Class C to trailers out there, except a tent trailer. And the only new RV was a pickup camper. Wish I still could get into the bed in that easily but not safe anymore.