I was curious what measures any of you are doing to prevent coming in contact with Bed Bugs? In our profession, it seems it isn't a matter of if but when.

My step mom recorded the Dr. Oz (???) show on Bed Bugs. The exterminator (I can't think of his name but he has his own reality TV show) had some good tips.

1. When you first walk into the room, prop the door open with your bags. DO NOT bring your bags into the room. Bring a flashlight with you.

2. Turn on all lights.

3. First check the bed and linens. Look for rust, brown, or dark colored spots on the sheets and mattress. The spots are actually feces and human blood. The bugs are no larger than a sesame seed. Pay particular attention to fabric folds or mattress folds, they hide there. Lift the mattress and look underneath. Check between the sheets and pillow covers.

4. Look at the headboard. The exterminator actually suggested lifting it off the wall (apparently they all lift vertically). Do one side at a time. Look for them hiding in any cracks or crevasses. Personally I think he's nuts doing this. I try to look along the edges and behind.

5. Check under the desk and the desk drawer (use the flashlight). Pay particular attention to where the wood makes a fold, edge, or corner.

The exterminator said that if you checked these areas and didn't see any signs of the bugs, you can rest up because the room is most likely not infested.

6. Once all clear, bring your luggage into the room and ALWAYS use the luggage rack. NEVER place any clothing or your bags on the floor, bed, or furniture. Try to keep everything on the rack.

7. When you get home, DO NOT BRING YOUR BAGS INTO YOUR HOUSE. Leave them outside or in the garage. Clothes are to go straight from the luggage and into the washer. The washer and dryer will kill the bugs.

Things to ponder. 30% of humans show no reaction to the bites and never know they've been bitten. The bugs can live up to a year between feedings. They are most likely found in dark places ... movie theaters, hotel rooms, etc. The bugs tap into your capillaries and suck your blood.

 

It would be interesting to see how many pilots flying international routes vs. domestic routes bring bed bugs home. I've been flying Asia for the last 15 years and have never had a problem. Either I'm really lucky, or those little suckers dehydrate after 8+ hours aloft.

Here's a post I made several years ago (the last time that the media freaked-out on bed bugs).

http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/w...071230300.html

 

If you bring them home they are hard to eradicate but there is a heat treatment method that is supposed to be effective. On the road all you can do is ask for another room IF you see them in time. I brought a few home and caught the infestation before it had a chance to spread one time, had to use pillow and mattress encasements to stop that one.

 

All you need to know about those little creatures and more.
Complete with colorful pics.
http://commdocs.alpa.org/Portals/Com...lFlyer0910.pdf

 

Home Depot sells a spray. Just bought some. I fly to NY a lot, unfortunately.

 

Man, if you do all of that, the other pilot will be calling you from the lobby telling you the van is waiting.

 

Very good video. The professor in the YouTube video was also on the show I watched.

I'm a domestic pilot and I've been regularly checking my rooms and have never found any evidence of bugs.

 

Hahahahaha ... it only takes me 3-5 miutes. I'm just checking the bed and the furniture with a flashlight.

 

I try to do only out and backs...

 

My old man brought some home after an overnight when I was a kid. Little bastards got into the parents mattress. He sealed the mattress up in black plastic garbage bags, and put it outside in the summer sun for two days. Baked them retarded (dead). Cleaned the mattess afterwards and never saw another one.