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Suitcases: Ballistic nylon or hardcase?
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killembugs
newbite
Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 2
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Jul 3 2007 18:51:25
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I recently bought a ballistic nylon suitcase for an upcoming trip. I was really set on getting a hardcase bec. of the bedbug issue, but a coworker convinced me that bedbugs cannot penetrate ballistic nylon. Does anyone know if this is true? I've been searching for answers on the web, but couldn't find any.
Getting paranoid and re-thinking the hardcase luggage.
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Shameless plug but I only use Samsonite Oysters but its not like I have time off to travel at present.
I do know for certain they cant get through saran / pallet or cling film wrap. Although I did spend 45 minutes today having a conversation with someone who said they don't do it at UK airports as a service so take you own if needed.
I have a specific travel advisory newsletter on the web site in the newsletter section.
David Cain
www.bed-bugs.co.uk -
killembugs
newbite
Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 2
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Jul 4 2007 9:25:29
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Thanks David. I'm seriously considering taking saran wrap. I guess another possible way is to use a Permaone spray on soft/fabric suitcases?
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I assume you mean a Pheromone spray. I may be a little out of date on the research but from what I understand the only bed bug related pheromones are attractants of bugs rather than repellents.
I would also caution against the widespread use of pesticides as a preventative as they simply don't work like that or not at least the ones you can buy online or via shops. There is also the fact that it is likely to be the over use of insecticides that has resulted in the spread of resistant strains of bed bugs.
David
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Whether bedbugs can penetrate would depend on the pore size. And how would you find that out? It seems a lot of work for little reassurance, considering that bedbugs do not have to 'penetrate' a fabric, they can harbor on seams, small crevices in straps, borders, etc. They can be on it and inside it, in very tight spaces. So the trick is to protect the bag in plastic, either with the pallet wrap or a large ziploc bag. I think the best thing might not be hardcase v. ballistic, but something that is washable in hot water. Such bags may be impractical, however, not to mention unattractive, so then you exercise caution and do a complete and thorough inspection. That is probably more important.
I think Bugalina and WMSB have used Sterifab on their luggage.
Is Permaone a tick repellent or is it a pesticide? I wonder if bedbugs are easily repelled. I thought entomologist Dini Miller said that bedbugs do not acknowledge pesticides at all; they just sit in them until they die. I'm not sure about repellents. (Note: I have tried natural repellents like peppermint, thyme and tea tree oil, lavender, etc. and I can definitely say that, for me at least, they did not work.)
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killembugs,
Remember that most hard cases have zippers and bed bugs can even get through the gap at the end where the zipper meets.
Hard cases (even with zippers) are probably a bit safer than nylon, but I don't know what ballistic nylon looks like.
I'd focus not so much on wrapping the luggage (that may work for the journey itself, but not in the hotel, and security may remove or forbid it in many localities, with heightened security). I'd focus more on having sealed bags inside it that you keep sealed for the duration of the trip (with your stuff inside), except to take clothes out, etc.
When you get home, you can carefully inspect outside and inside the case, and maybe treat it somehow. But you'll know your stuff, sealed in bags, is safe. Dirty stuff should be in a separate bag, ready for washing and drying on hot, to be sure you did not bring bed bugs home.
Another tip: remove the inner liner if there is one; in most suitcases this is cloth with pockets--it obscures a really nice hiding place for bed bugs, and makes inspecting easier.
We also have a FAQ on travel and avoiding bed bugs. See button below.
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Bugalina
senior member
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 508
Posted 2 years ago
Thu Jul 5 2007 13:42:03
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What I prefer about the hard cased luggage is that there are no seams on it. Ours has latch type closings. I do NOT use sterifab on the luggage anymore...only Murphy's Oil or Kleen Free...Sterifab discolored the hardcased luggage...it ruined it, cosmetically. I have purchased some small to medium sized pcs that can fit into XX large Ziplocks. When my husband is in a hotel he always leaves his computer and small luggage inside the XXL ziplocks. esp. overnite..when the monsters are more likely to roam about. David Cain PCO in London seems to know that luggage can be shrinkwrapped...My husband and I have looked into this in the States and so far we have been met by absolutely not....or "are you serious"...I guess with security the way it is..its not allowable here..I agree with nobugs..the best thing to do is to have everything that is inside the luggage put into ziplocked bags..and then whether or not one has ballistic or hardcased or whatever...its alway prudent to do a thorough check of every part of the luggage before allowing it into ones home...and even before putting it into a car...give it a good douse with Kleen Free....an ounce of caution is worth a pound of cure...
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