In Reply to: bed bugs - is this common? posted by ridingthewind on Friday, 28. August 2009 at 04:45 Bali Time:
until they reach maturity & by then it's too late.
They generally live in the mattress, but have been found behind bedheads, in picture frames, curtins & I have spoken with pest controllers who have found them in light fittings (this depends on the level of infestation)
These mongrel things are prolific hitch hikers & are found all over the world & are extremely difficult & costly to exterminate.
It doesn't matter how clean a hotel is; if 1 traveller is a carrier & stays at a lodging, be it motel or private home,then chances are they with migrate. Most well run Youth Hostels probably have less of a chance than a higher rated establishment
There has been a resurgence over the last couple of years & it is generally only good luck & vigilance on the part of the hotel (etc) for early detection & eradication. Many places are still in denial as to the extent of these creatures
The tell tale signs is, if you check around the base of the bed, dark blood stains & small blackish brown bugs