I got an email today from a friend who knows someone who stayed at a hotel in Utica recently and was eaten by bed bugs.  Has anyone heard anything about this?  I'm due to go down next week so I'm a bit unnerved by this piece of news.  Optimistically I would hope that since they know about the problem now they have time to recitify it before we get there next week.

We are not staying in the hotel where the infestation was reported to hae occurred but it's still disturbing....

Any thoughts?

That one person was the only one I ever heard having a problem with bed bugs.  I stayed there and there was nothing.  I wonder, too, if it was bed bugs, since she only got bitten on her legs.   I'm going down for a few days in October, and I plan on staying there again.

Chris

This is the first time I'm hearing about it as well but I have heard about in other cities in hotels so it's not impossible to think it could happen in Utica.  I hadn't heard that she got bitten only on her legs.  Was there a post on here about it?

I heard this about the Holiday Inn in Utica..I stayed there before and after the post and never had this happen nor even saw a single bug in the rooms. Just my experience!!!

Suzanne

Thanks Suzanne.  Typically these things get addressed very quickly by the hotel when they occur so I would assume that it has been dealt with.  I'm not staying at the Holiday Inn so my concern is a bit less but still I can't help but think about it after hearing that.

She posted on OWSG. 

Sorry, I'm a bit of a newbie.  What is OWSG?

Ottawa Weightloss Support Group - here's the address:

www.owsg.ca

One  needs to assume that every hotel, no matter how upscale has the potential for bed bugs.   They come in the luggage of the travellers.   I have stayed at the Holiday Inn several times and have never had anything but a restful peaceful night in very comfortable beds with lovely crisp linens.   No bed bugs for me.   That being said, they could have them tomorrow!    Hotels fumigate regularly for these issues so I would not worry too much at all. 

Maybe you could check out this site:

http://bedbugregistry.com/

"The Bedbug Registry is a free, public database of bedbug infestations. Use it to check for bedbug reports before booking a hotel room or renting an apartment."

(This site only goes by what the public reports on the site though... so it's probably not accurate, but worth a look.)

How to Avoid Bed Bugs on the Road
In the past decade since the outcry of bans against pesticides like DDT along with the increase of international tourism, bed bugs have increasingly become a problem in hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts and other travellers' accommodations. Here are some tips that can help you avoid bed bugs when you're travelling and on the road.

Before and after your trip
Before you unpack, check over the room and mattresses. Don't hesitate to ask for another room if you don't think the conditions are adequate -- especially if you find some bugs. Before you leave to return home, carefully check over your suitcase and bags while packing your things so that you make sure you're not bringing any of these little pests home.

Look for clues. It's disgusting, but it's true: looking for blood spots, feces, eggs, translucent shed skin and dead bedbugs is the best way to find out whether there are bed bugs around. These can be found in crevices like mattresses, box springs, linens, ceilings and floors. Do a thorough check of your hotel's bed and linens and if you're not convinced, ask for an allergen-free room.

Know thine enemy! Bedbugs survive by feeding on the blood of warm-blooded hosts -- like you and I. They are attracted by carbon dioxide and blood. Most bed bugs can live for about 18 months without feeding but they usually go looking for a meal every 5 to 10 days, or once a week. When they decide to go for a "meal" they usually come out during the late evening or about an hour before dawn, but rarely during the day ... another reason why it's good to wake up early. Good luck!

All i have to say is EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWAND GROSS!!!!Don't know if it's true or not .
Debbie

the first time I went down to Utica we stayed at the Ramada, which wasn't very clean at all, but I didn't see any bed bugs, justa spider and a dead bug in the bathroom (also some hair in the tub, eww!).

The last 2 times i've been there I stayed at the Red Roof Inn, and although it's not the fanciest place in the world, it was Always Really clean, and it was great after surgery because you can do laps around the motel to get rid of the gas!!

It was also Really cheap, only about 60$ a night.

All in all, i'd really reccomend it as long as you're not expecting the Ritz!