Yes, I know. Eew.
Just wanted to make you aware.
We’ve been reading tons of reports over the past year or so of bedbugs plaguing hotels in the U.S. It shouldn’t be such a surprise, then, that other areas of the globe are battling the unwanted bedtime visitors, too. Still, it was a little daunting to read this report of the sleepy creepies tormenting guests at a London hotel.
Now, let’s be fair. Though the article points a finger at the hotel’s hygiene practices, in reality, anyone can get bedbugs. Just two wayward bugs on any plush personal belonging (including children’s stuffed toys, sweaters and even your car’s carpeting) and you’ve got a recipe for disaster…and in no time at all: bedbugs can lay up to 500 eggs in a lifetime, and juveniles reach maturity in just a month and a half. That adds up to a lot of bugs in a very short period of time.
How to keep safe? You can reduce your chances of giving bedbugs a ride to your house by keeping tabs ahead of time on hotels you plan to stay in. The internet is your friend here; search the news for announcements of outbreaks or of unhygienic practices. If you’re suspicious, book a different hotel.
Inspect your mattresses every couple of months for evidence of bedbugs by looking in seams for dark spots and smears. These can be telltale signs of infestation (though they don’t have to be, so don’t panic – call in a professional exterminator for a look). Clean your mattresses regularly by vacuuming. A bed cover can also help keep things sanitary.
Once exposed to bedbugs, it’s not impossible to clean up a mattress, but for your own health and peace of mind, we suggest investing in a brand-new one. Take your old mattress to your local waste facility; don’t leave it on the curb. You don’t want to be spreading the bugs around and making the problem worse.
Above all, don’t be ashamed. As we stated earlier: anyone can experience this problem. It does not mean you run an unclean household. Some parasites are more persistent than others; this particular breed seems to be among the more hearty (and opportunistic). So if you suspect a problem, get it taken care of right away. You’ll sleep easier knowing you’ve done all you could to nip an itchy problem in the bud.
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