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Post by Apedemak on Apr 21, 2004 7:59:20 GMT -5
It was reccomended to me to bring along a light sleeping bag instead of a sleep sheet, I was told I would get more use out of it and if it is light enough could pass for a sleep sheet. Thoughts?? Thanks.
-A
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Post by Kim on Apr 21, 2004 8:31:59 GMT -5
No, bring a sleep sheet or just rent one along the way.
The reason is is that many hostels don't allow sleeping bags due to the fact that bedbugs can live in the them and spread to the beds.
Also, a sleeping bag is easily washed where as a sleeping bag isn't.
I got bitten really bad by bedbugs in a hostel in Hawaii and let me tell you, it's gross!
Kim
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Jordo
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 124
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Post by Jordo on Apr 21, 2004 16:53:16 GMT -5
Is bed bugs really that big of a problem? Iv heard horror stories that the can infest your house back home and get in your backpack and eat up your clothing.Is it like an epidimic in the hostels or something? seems gross!
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Post by WillTravel on Apr 21, 2004 17:31:20 GMT -5
I read an article in the NY Times a few months ago about how bedbugs are even infesting nice hotels. Nonetheless, I don't think it's a huge problem. If you do get them, getting rid of them can be a big hassle. I'd definitely look at hostel reviews and see if there are reports of this.
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Post by Kim on Apr 21, 2004 17:36:40 GMT -5
No, I wouldn't say they are a huge problem but once a place has them it's really hard to get rid of them.
Basically what happens is that they lay eggs in the mattresses. Spraying only kills the lives ones rather than the eggs.
I actually worked for several months at this hostel in Hawaii that had a problem with them and the bug guy even said to me that short of burning the mattresses, it was pretty hard to get rid of them once a place had a bad case of them.
I wouldn't worry about them eating your clothes but they will bite you. They look like mosquito bites but they always bite in a straight line.
In hostels or hotels, it's always a good idea not to lean your pack against the bed. They can transfer from the mattresses to your pack easily this way.
All you can really do is bring a sleepsheet instead of a sleeping bag and wash it often - like everytime you wash your clothes. Hot water if possible.
I actually left the hostel I was working at before going home and stayed in a condo that had a washing machine where I washed everything with hot water. I even scrubbed my pack. I didn't have any problems when I got home, didn't bring any with me.
They need to lay eggs to survive so as long as you don't provide an environment for them to live in like a sleeping bag or mattress, you don't need to worry.
Kim
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Post by Kahunna on Apr 22, 2004 1:07:22 GMT -5
I haven't been able to find a picture of it or a link to purchasing it online, but Coleman makes a great felt sleeping bag that stuffs down to the size of a 44oz cup. I use it while camping in a tent (even in cold weather) and it works well.
Don't bring a full-blown sleeping bag. They will take up most of the space in your backpack and, unless you're camping, you'll never really need to use it.
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Jordo
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 124
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Post by Jordo on Apr 22, 2004 10:49:21 GMT -5
gotcha thanks =D
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