I thought bed bugs were a myth. Like the Bogeyman.
In Australia, the tourism industry is reporting losses of up to US$75 million due to the pesky little critters.
Apparently a rise in international travel has revived these nasty night biters, with the number of bed bugs doubling each year. And once your beds are infested, it's best to call professional pest-control to eradicate the problem.
But the problem isn't just down under.
Hotels in the United States have reported a 20% increase in bed bugs since 2004. So if these critters are doubling in number each year, does that mean we'll see a 40% rise in bed bug incidents by 2007?
Eeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwww...
I spent most of Sunday night making travel plans with friends.
(I missed the Superbowl this year... the only teams I care for are The Patriots and The Redskins -- neither of which made it to the Superbowl -- and the commercials haven't been the same without the Budweiser frogs.)
Anyway... instead of imagining exotic locales and a change of scenery, now I picture myself waking up covered in little welts because I was the main course in an all-u-can-eat bed bug buffet.
Very.Disturbing.
Several companies sell little sleeping bag things, microfiber or silk, which are basically sheets folded and sewed partially shut so you don't actually TOUCH the bedsheets in the hotel or where ever. I'm not sure how bedbugproof they are, but it's a thought. I think Travelsmith sells them, and a few others.
Buzz at buzzstuff posted a picture of a bedbug. I itched just looking at it.
Posted by: Sherri | 07 February 2006 at 15:41