[guntherhermann]

I live in the UK (north), and I've never in my life heard of anyone dealing with bedbugs here, and can corroborate with the sibling that the only time I've ever heard about them is through US popular culture shows (I thought they were just a warm-climate bug)

[kergonath]

We don’t really know why they are coming back. But the fact that they used to be everywhere less than a century ago should make everyone think about protective strategies, instead of thinking that they are someone else’s problem. This is not “lol Paris” (or “lol AirBnB” like some say in other posts), this is a Europe-wide public health problem in the making.

AFAICT the number of infestations grew 65% in a year in the UK. A couple of years at that rate and even if you’ve never seen any yet, you are likely to know them intimately.

[dwroberts]

> grew 65% in a year in the UK

This sounds like a Daily Mail or Mirror quote, where generally their source is a pest control person or other business attempting to scare people into buying products.

Obviously everywhere is at risk for bed bugs but I don't think the UK has some major shock infestation in the way you're trying to imply.

[gpt5]

Why are you ruling out AirBnB’s popularity as a cause? It seems quite plausible, isn’t it?

[lotsofpulp]

Hotels get bed bugs all the time. The cause is people traveling, allowing bed bugs to hitch a ride.

[wholinator2]

And most hotels have centralized departments for dealing with it, contacts with extermination agencies, and a single large building to treat, and a very very strong incentive to get it done immediately, lest they lose all business and be forced to shut down.

I obviously don't know the specifics but I'd bet Hilton is a million times more effective at pest management than some 60 year old dude who put up his second home for extra income. To whom does the cost of extermination act as a large deterrent?

[lotsofpulp]

FYI, Hilton does not own or operate 99% of hotels with their brand name on it. Quality of management will vary greatly, but I agree that the probability of hotel management fixing the issue quicker is higher than an Airbnb operator.

[kergonath]

It’s part of the problem, sure, but only a contributing factor. The story mentions them being found in cinemas and trains, which is uncommon, but they have been in hotels as well.

[guntherhermann]

Hey mate, you're tilting at windmills. Chill with the hyperbole, it'll be ok.

[kergonath]

I am not sure where you see hyperbole. Do you have an actual point to make?

[guntherhermann]

> This is not “lol Paris” (or “lol AirBnB” like some say in other posts), this is a Europe-wide public health problem in the making.

> AFAICT the number of infestations grew 65% in a year in the UK. A couple of years at that rate and even if you’ve never seen any yet, you are likely to know them intimately.

These are both sentences written in a highly emotional tone, that is attempting to fear-monger. It's hyperbole. Your reply is also again terse and unnecessary, I'm not your enemy, calm down and take a day off the internet if it's getting to you. Have a good day man, take care of yourself.

[leke]

Yep, I also went to Paris and got bit on the train, then in the hotel every night. They were also in the suitcase when I got home, but luckily I read up on how to deal with them and killed them all.

[david-gpu]

Lucky you! The only time I've had to deal with bedbugs was in the UK (Brighton, in winter) and getting rid of them was as much of a PITA as everybody says.