I've read a few articles last year about the resurgent spread of bedbugs in all levels of accommodation, from hostels to five-star hotels to luxury apartments. I did a search here, and I found people complaining of bedbug experiences at major name-brand four-star hotels.

From what I've read, if you are unfortunate enough to get bedbugs in your home, it can take an extreme amount of time, dedication, and money to get rid of them. And it's supposed to be easy to transfer bedbugs from one place to another inadvertently. In a recent article I was reading about welfare hotels, the reporter was told to stand in the middle of the hallways so he wouldn't catch bedbugs from the walls.

With so many people here who hotel hop, are you taking any precautions against bedbugs?

I've thought of the following, but perhaps I'm being overly paranoid. I haven't actually implemented any.

* Take along plastic garbage bags in your suitcase. When you arrive at the hotel, place your suitcase in that plastic bag. Don't use the dresser drawers to store clothing. In addition, use Ziplocs for all clothing, particularly used items.

* Switch from soft-shell luggage to hard-shell.

* When you return home from a trip, strip down in the garage and (if possible) shower, before putting on a completely new outfit, and leaving one's luggage in the garage. Later, with plastic bags for transport, take the bags to the laundry, and launder the items in hot water (and bleach if possible).

Would these steps help? Has anyone been so unfortunate as to bring bedbugs home? I've never had a close encounter so far as I know, but I admit I'm a bit afraid of the creatures, so I'm trying to gain as much knowledge as possible.