Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Detection / Identification of bed bugs
Would you stay in hotel that has bedbug mattress encasements and says...
(4 posts)-
ParanoidBoutBedbugs
newbite
Joined: Aug '11
Posts: 17offline
Posted 1 year ago
Thu Dec 15 2011 10:54:44
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that it has had a bedbug problem in the past but it has been resolved and they have not had any for "a long time."
I'm just curious if I overreacted ...
We went to stay in a hotel and I went to do my usual inspection I do before we bring our stuff in. For the first time ever when inspecting a hotel mattress, I found I could not inspect the piping/edges like I usually do because of what appeared to be a bedbug encasement. I went to ask the people at the front desk about it, and they said they had had bb problems in the past, it had been treated and resolved a long time ago, that "everybody" (all hotels) has had a problem at some point and the only reason they had mattress encasements was to prevent any bedbugs from getting IN to the mattresses.
I did not believe them and wondered if they had put encasements on during their infestation so they did not have to get new mattresses? Ie; were these mattresses possibly infested/stained from bedbugs and rather than buying new ones they just threw encasements on? In any case, I had no way of checking the mattress to makes sure it was free of stains/evidence, so we did not stay there and ended up driving home that night.
We had prepaid and they were very uncooperative but finally agreed to give us our money back. Thoughts?
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oldtimer
Joined: Nov '11
Posts: 2,502offline
Posted 1 year ago
Thu Dec 15 2011 11:15:47
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Dear paranoid,
Congrats on hitting on the $64,000 question !
If you were a hotelier, what would you do & say opposite the BB problem? They face quite a conundrum.
Now, as a traveler consider this: Would you rather stay at a hotel that openly tells you they have a BB management program in place or one that evades the issue?
We should probably not be as concerned with the fact that a property may have had a previous BB issue, what we need to be concerned most with is what they have done and are doing about the BB issue to protect their staff, their property and their guests from BBs on an continued basis.
Have I found encasements on beds where I stay? Yes I have.
Did I stay there? Yes I did.
Do I inspect every hotel room I stay at? Yes I do.
Upon check in I always ask the following question:
Have you ever had or do you have any pest or bed bug issues at this hotel that I should be aware of?
(Guess what they usually tell me?)
I may ask follow up questions.
Do I use a luggage protector? Yes I do.
Do I bring large white plastic trash bags with me? Yes I do.
Do I have a flashlight to better inspect with? Yes I do.
Hope this helps, travel safely ! paul b.
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old timer
Joined: May '07
Posts: 978offline
Posted 1 year ago
Thu Dec 15 2011 13:11:28
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Since bed bugs can be introduced in theory anywhere at anytime perhaps a hotel that has encasement's is on the educated side of the curve, and should not be construed as problematic. I also ask, travel light and with large clear plastic bags. I do not unpack and keep things in the bathroom for the most part. I inspect the the room as well. I will say I'm good for some twenty plus rooms per year and have never found a bed bug in a room I was staying in nor had an issue. But I do know for a fact they are out there.
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member
Joined: Mar '10
Posts: 170offline
Posted 1 year ago
Thu Dec 15 2011 14:02:24
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Wow an honest hotelier
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