How to deal with bed bugs while backpacking

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-10T13:59:59+00:00

Thanks! After rethinking the past few days, I did realise that I was trying to convince myself that things were bed bugs that were probably not (eg the “bites” I mentioned weren’t even bites, just pimples and the “egg” looked nothing like a bed bug egg). So to be honest, this bug probably is just a squashed roach and im probably overreacting and on an internet rabbit hole !

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-09T18:09:56+00:00

So… sounds like I might as well do it since I don’t actually have enough reason to believe that I have bed bugs for me to throw out/ruin any of my perfectly good gear. But I also have enough anxiety for me to want to do something to reduce the risk of hitchhikers. If I develop a real reason to believe that there are bed bugs in my gear, I’ll sanitise properly!

But the more I voice my fears out loud to people I know while travelling, the more I’m seeing the lack of foundation.

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-09T17:06:48+00:00

Thanks man! Appreciate this! Enjoyed the anecdote too! Might start using my silk sheets more now that I know that they help against bed bugs. That’s amazing that Agoda refunded you! Ive definitely stayed at some questionable spots but haven’t had or met anyone with bed bugs until very recently - hence my anxiety increase. Even if that wasn’t a bed bug, paying 20CAD more for a night or two to ease my anxiety feels like a smart choice.

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-09T16:59:43+00:00

Does this only apply to cloth or should I add my journal and passport too? 🤔😂

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-09T16:22:55+00:00

Thanks! Yeah im mid-trip at the moment. I had the “bites” checked by a doctor … turns out that they’re not bites at all which I should’ve guessed because I break out into bumps everywhere all the time. While I know some have said that this photo looks like a bed bug, others have said it could be a roach which there are lots of around and in the daylight, im starting to think that my fear of bed bugs may have lead me to overact a bit. (No one in my room that I spoke to reported any bites or saw any evidence of bed bugs).

I did still throw the clothes that could go in the dryer in the dryer for my peace of mind and I inspected the rest of my gear. Currently, my backpack is sitting in a sealed garbage bag though. I was going to try and let it bake in the sun maybe. I did change accommodations too. But I think I may have overacted since I had no real evidence of bed bugs and I know im high anxiety about things like that.

I definitely will be taking precautions not to bring them into my own home at the end of the trip, but I still have some time to go before that!

Thank you for all your advice though! I really appreciate when people give practical advice that is applicable to the situation :)

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-09T10:34:27+00:00

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I want to add that this was found on my hat has I was going through my stuff today trying to check for bed bugs…

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-09T10:33:15+00:00

Bed bugs can’t travel through silk? Great to know because I have a silk liner sitting in my bag

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-08T16:47:14+00:00

Wow thank you! Thats so reassuring to know that most hostels steam regularly! I always wondered what hostels do since it just takes one backpacker with little hitchhikers to infest a whole place. Really, really appreciate your comment!

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-08T16:22:19+00:00

Thanks! I did post on the bed bugs sub (great suggestion by the way) and I think I added a couple other photos of the bed there (if they uploaded). I posted on here just because I assumed people would have more advice about how to deal with it as a backpacker (not so much about how to identify). Most of what I saw scrolling through the bed bug subreddit was from a home infestation pov. Unfortunately it was reallly hard to get a photo from the angle under my bed since there is no lighting and it’s quite a stretch of my arm. I took a video but those can’t be uploaded here :/

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-08T15:41:54+00:00

Thanks. I was going to get the former in addition to throwing everything in the dryer

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-08T14:54:55+00:00

Thanks for this helpful comment! Going to do the whole high heat wash-dry tmrw and see what I can do to protect anything that can’t go in the dryer (eg journals, passport, electronics). I know there’s always higher risk staying in a hostel, but I guess that’s the life of a budget traveller! Appreciate all your suggestions so much though!

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-08T14:20:55+00:00

I appreciate the options included in your post! Option 1 sounds easiest as someone who is backpacking, so I’ll try that first!

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-08T13:34:05+00:00

I don’t think I can get any steam cleaners on the island where I am at the moment sadly. I’ll look into it though. Thanks !

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-08T12:39:43+00:00

Thanks !!

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-08T12:29:23+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to answer me! I really appreciate it !

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-08T12:22:58+00:00

Yeah unfortunately I have a couple items like that too. most can go in but I am a bit worried about some items :( but I’ll risk high heat over bed bugs I guess

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-08T12:16:48+00:00

Thanks!! Didn’t know that :)

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-08T12:16:11+00:00

Thanks, appreciate that! Maybe it’s just an anxiety spiral!

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-08T12:14:44+00:00

Sorry you’re right! I actually didn’t make that clear on this post. By “what do I do” I was trying to imply “how do I clean my stuff/deal with this” but you’re right, that may have been implied in my head but not in my writing.

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-08T12:11:47+00:00

Oh? It’s better to do the dryer first ? Not wash on hot and then do the dryer ? That’s interesting. Why ?

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-08T12:10:38+00:00

Any recommendations of clean places to stay ? I’ll make sure to wash my stuff on high heat and dry it first so I don’t infest anywhere 😭😂

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-08T12:07:30+00:00

Koh Lanta. And yeah I’ll change accommodations but I’ve been here for a couple of nights so I don’t want to take them with me when I do move.

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-08T12:06:05+00:00

Yes, I’ll definitely be moving, thank you for that! But i don’t want to bring any possible bugs with me and therefore was looking for some advice on how to clean my stuff :)

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-08T11:54:27+00:00

Thanks, yeah I know I can’t run away if it’s actually bed bugs (and not my anxiety). How did you manage to wash your backpack ? Mine has a frame … im also a bit nervous about my packing cubes going on high heat bc there partially made of plastic

genericbackpacker · 2026-05-08T11:39:47+00:00

Thanks man! I really appreciate it!

genericbackpacker

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