Travel Products - Bed Bugs Spray

Just in case, I think it's good to have a bed bugs spray with you. I really want to get one and spray whatever needs to be sprayed before sleeping in that bed, even if there are no visible evidence of bed bugs (especially in NYC).

What spray would you recommend to take with me while traveling?
Also, what places and how do you spray? I hear that some sprays are only effective if you spray the bug directly, but that's not really convenient -- is there a spray that you could just use to spray some places where the bed bugs might usually stay?

Thanks!

Rubbing alcohol will kill them on contact generally.

Diatomaceous earth is a powder which kills them if the walk on it as I understand it.

n.b. - I am not an exterminator nor did I stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night, but I have dealt with a number of infestations in my apartment building over the past few years.

One of my staff is an environmental science guy. He does a lot of work with bedbugs. I'll get his opinion tomorrow and post his opinion....

The first time I heard bed bugs are a problem was a couple of years ago. I was wondering why bedbugs issue has surfaced if it existed all along. According to Wikipedia, bed bugs had been eradicated from the developed world. They were introduced in the U.S. in the mid nineties.
It seems increased travel is responsible for these critters coming in.

IMO, mosquitoes are far more dangerous than bedbugs.

P.S. Growing up in an an underdeveloped country, I remember there were bed bugs one year in our house. Anything that could stand boiling water, was washed/soaked in boiling water. Upholstered furniture was re-upholstered. While the beds were being treated, we slept on the floor. It was fund for us kids. It was like camping indoors.

Moving thread to Travel Products Forum.
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

The first time I heard bed bugs are a problem was a couple of years ago. I was wondering why bedbugs issue has surfaced if it existed all along. According to Wikipedia, bed bugs had been eradicated from the developed world. They were introduced in the U.S. in the mid nineties.
It seems increased travel is responsible for these critters coming in.

IMO, mosquitoes are far more dangerous than bedbugs.

P.S. Growing up in an an underdeveloped country, I remember there were bed bugs one year in our house. Anything that could stand boiling water, was washed/soaked in boiling water. Upholstered furniture was re-upholstered. While the beds were being treated, we slept on the floor. It was fund for us kids. It was like camping indoors.

The little b@st@rds have become resistant to the typical pesticides, so are now being seen more commonly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bed_bug_control_techniques

The little b@st@rds have become resistant to the typical pesticides, so are now being seen more commonly.


As will everything else subject to unnatural chemicals (unlike, for example, ants to boric acid where it is fundamentally poisonous and no chance to develop resistance). At least 20 weeds have developed resistance to Monsanto's RoundUp.

Diatomaceous earth is a powder which kills them if the walk on it as I understand it.
.

Not quite. It gets into their tracheae and other joints and cuts away. You need quite a lot of the stuff, relatively, and it isn't good for you to inhale it.

Not quite. It gets into their tracheae and other joints and cuts away. You need quite a lot of the stuff, relatively, and it isn't good for you to inhale it.

And I'm not sure it's entirely practical in a hotel: take the sheets off, rub powder into all the crevices, around the bedposts, etc.

Excessive, and long-term Diatomaceous exposure can lead to a condition akin to silicosis.

As wisely mentioned above, it takes a considerable amount to effectively work as a pesticide. Your hotel, and for that matter your airline might want to speak to you if you elect to tote a 20 Kilo bag around on your trip anywhere.

SOLUTION SUGGESTION: A locally purchased, inexpensive spray bottle loaded with an equally local-purchased bottle of alcohol ( 71 % or 90 % ) might be a better solution.

Alcohol can be sprayed on bedding, cabinets or a wardrobe, clothes, and inside your luggage; Even, antiseptically, on your body. Just don't go crazy in the lounge or restaurant.

Excessive, and long-term Diatomaceous exposure can lead to a condition akin to silicosis.

As wisely mentioned above, it takes a considerable amount to effectively work as a pesticide. Your hotel, and for that matter your airline might want to speak to you if you elect to tote a 20 Kilo bag around on your trip anywhere.

SOLUTION SUGGESTION: A locally purchased, inexpensive spray bottle loaded with an equally local-purchased bottle of alcohol ( 71 % or 90 % ) might be a better solution.

Alcohol can be sprayed on bedding, cabinets or a wardrobe, clothes, and inside your luggage; Even, antiseptically, on your body. Just don't go crazy in the lounge or restaurant.

Thanks! :)

Any brands/names of the product suggested comes to mind that I can look for? Never knew that such a thing existed, not sure what to buy. Is it just alcohol in a spray-bottle?

Common inexpensive Isopropyl, which kills most insects, small to large.

70% or 91%, usually found in refill-type plastic bottles, and sold in stores, and pharmacies world-wide. The spray bottle application will let you stream, or mist the alcohol where and when you want it. An empty plastic spray bottle is not a problem in checked luggage, if you wanted to pack one. I don't as a rule, as it is commonly sold item everywhere today including the Amazon. Just remember to dispose of the plastic bottle or recycle it responsibly.

A suggestion is not to travel with this: In fact, it is extra weight for checked bags, and it will not be allowed on board with your carry-on.

Purchase this locally upon your arrival, and use it there. We are water and ocean active, and travel in tropical areas frequently. We have been doing this for many years for small cuts, cleaning surfaces in bathrooms, road, rock, and beach abrasions, and insect repellent. Plan ahead and use the remaining alcohol at the end of the trip to mist-spray the inside of your luggage before departing. Spray inside, let it dry for a few minutes, and then pack.

Burning down your house will also kill the little buggers:


Ky. woman tries to kill bedbugs, burns down apt. (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500523_162-57464422/ky-woman-tries-to-kill-bedbugs-burns-down-apt/?tag=cbsnewsSectionContent.11)
http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2011/06/05/sm_bedbugs_0605_244x183.jpg

Burning down your house will also kill the little buggers:


Ky. woman tries to kill bedbugs, burns down apt. (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500523_162-57464422/ky-woman-tries-to-kill-bedbugs-burns-down-apt/?tag=cbsnewsSectionContent.11)
http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2011/06/05/sm_bedbugs_0605_244x183.jpg

It's the only way to be sure!

Available here (http://www.homedepot.com/buy/harris-3-oz-egg-kill-bed-bug-killer-travel-size-378615.html)