Bed bugs have very little to do with cleanliness, they tend to hide during the day in crevices in walls and floors, behind floor boards, behind light switches etc. These hiding places are very difficult to reach and, even when treated chemically, the next pilgrims, potentially, bring the next bugs into the albergue.
And no, so far nobody has found anything natural that repels them. Bed bugs search for their 'prey' (us) by the CO2 we exhale and don't care how we smell otherwise. Buen Camino, SY
No when we unfortunately experienced bed bugs I did a bit of research and it's vital that rooms are dusted and vaccumed. Also once there has been an outbreak mattresses have to be steamed and sometimes thrown out. It's tough for the hospitality industry but something they have to control. Yes bed bugs will not kill you but it's not a pleasant experience for guests - who have paid and who need a good sleep. Pyrethran kills them so does a little alcohol and heat over 40° c. Vaccuming is effective in getting rid of some and you are right they hide - in cushions, cupboards, headboards, behind pictures etc. They don't like sunlight and so come out at night. Cleaning behind beds and dusting helps. And yes the place could be squeeky clean till somebody turns up with bed bugs that have crawed into their luggage. According to what I have read today this can help the weary traveler :
1.keep your bag/bags off the floor or put it into the hotel/hostel/room bathroom -preferably the bath (because they can't climb out apparently) - or any place tiled (they don't like tiles) or on a table or hard surface NOT a bed.
2. Check the room for Apple seed sized black things - the sheets for little brown specs (their excrement ), check behind the headboard, pictures etc.
3. Put your bags into a big plastic bag - I saw transparent zip ones online or apparently a black dustbin bag works too. Seal it.
4.do not leave clothes etc on the floor.
5.Soap and water and enough steam. Kills them - so shower in the morning.
6.if you get bitten tumble dry your clothes,sleeping gear in a dryer for at least 20 min.
7.according to a number of sites I read today and the Huffington Post there are natural deterant one can make that help deter them. One is to mix 10 drops clove oil,10 drops lavender oil, 10 drops teared oil and 10 drops eucalyptus oil in an atomizer with 1 cup of water. You can spray your bag, clothes, the bed etc. You can also using almond oil or sorbolen (aqueous cream) make a protective cream to smear on your body before bed. All you need to do is add the essential oils without the cup of water and mix it through obviously. You can make sachets to put in your luggage out of these oils and the Dr who wrote the article reccomes you spray your bag inside and out including any buttons and ribbons as a deterant.
8.finally you can put petroleum jelly (vasseline brand apparently works best as they appear not to like it's smell) on the legs of the bed - I would probably put it in me!!!
Anyway I still think it is a pity we have to deal with this - we really should not have to. I know I sound like a snob (I really am not ) it just makes me think people are not cleaning. Yes...I am a neat freak and I don't think that's a bad thing. Anyway I am going to take a sleeping bag can wash and a camping pilow that can be washed and put in a dryer - and a big plastic bag. I will also go to bed smelling of soap and I will make that spray. By the way I am pretty sure if you washed with a teatree soap it would deter them?? Have nothing to loose by trying. Thanks for putting up with my comments
I've seen bedbugs on all color sheets including yellow, on white walls, behind pictures on walls of albergues, in dark holes of wooden bunkbeds, in the folds of the metal beds, in black, red, and pink backpacks. Personally, as long as they can suck your blood, I'm not sure they care what color you're wearing or sleeping on.
