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Bed bugs from public transportation?
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CreepedontheBus
newbite
Joined: Oct '10
Posts: 1offline
Posted 2 years ago
Sat Oct 16 2010 21:10:24
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Does anyone know if bedbugs can be brought home from the bus, or really any public transportation such as trains, planes, etc? I was riding the bus today and an eldery gentleman sat in the seat in front of me. It was a sort ride, perhaps 10-15 minutes. Toward the end of my trip I saw what I sincerely believe to be a bed bug walking across the man's hat. It was fat and engorged and completely dark blood-red. I immediately went to the front of the bus and stood at the door, mine was the next stop anyhow. As soon as I got home I went into the bathroom and stripped down, check my body as best I could by myself, and checked my sneakers, I took all my clothes along with the rest of my wash and washed and dried them immediately, and showered myself. I do not place my shopping bags on the floor of the bus, ever, so I am not concerned that they may have gotten into my bag and took a ride home, but I did still check. Did I over-react or is that just what I should have done? Should I have done anything else or differently? What is the best strategy to prevent contracting the nasty critters? I have been really concerned about it because of the epidemic, and it is spreading into local areas to me now. Thank you SO much for any advice! :o) ~ Creeped on the Bus :o)
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pinupchick
newbite
Joined: Oct '10
Posts: 24offline
Posted 2 years ago
Sat Oct 16 2010 22:38:31
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I guess theoretically, if your stuff comes into contact with someone else' infested belongings, you could "contract" bed bugs. I have heard of public transit seats themselves being infested, but most likely the man brought his own bed bugs from home onto the bus. They don't jump like fleas, and chances are if the bed bug(s) on this gent were feeding off him, they'd be happy to continue hitching on their meal ticket rather than crawl around for another.
It sounds like the steps you took are adequate. If not, we'll all have to become shut-ins wearing full-body suits at all times.
I take public transit too and am concerned about the increasing incidences of bed bugs. I'll probably start following a similar protocol - vacuuming and steaming my garments as washing every time isn't an option for me. All we can do is live though, right?
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pinupchick
newbite
Joined: Oct '10
Posts: 24offline
Posted 2 years ago
Sat Oct 16 2010 22:46:43
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Also, for an infestation to take hold in your home you need to bring in a breeding pair or at least an inseminated female. This is why it's more common to acquire infestations from hotels that are infested (multiple bugs crawl into luggage or clothing over a period of a few days) than from short trips on public transit. So bearing that in mind, the steps you took are probably fine.
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